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Remembering A Tuskegee Legend
Lt. Colonel Lee Archer: 1919 – 2010
 Lt. Colonel Lee Archer, a decorated Tuskegee Airman and honored attendee of the Gathering of Mustangs & Legends air show, passed away January 27, 2010. Burial services were held at Arlington National Cemetery on February 12, 2010.
Colonel Archer was the first and only Tuskegee Airman “Ace”, a designation given to pilots shooting down five or more enemy aircraft. By the end of World War II, Archer had flown over 169 combat missions, primarily in the P-51 Mustang. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with 18 Clusters, the Distinguished Unit Citation and many other service medals. Archer retired from the Air Force in 1971.
Colonel Archer was an inspiration for his fellow pilots and many others throughout his life, refusing to allow race or background interfere with his ability to be a leader in the African American community. The Gathering Foundation extends its sympathy and condolences to the Archer family, and are eternally grateful for his participation in the Gathering in 2007. To learn more about Colonel Archer’s amazing life and service to his country, we invite you to click here. | | 
| | Congressional Gold Medal Awarded to Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP)  On Wednesday, March 10, 2010, long overdue recognition was given to all Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) in a ceremony at the United States Capital. Remaining WASP and representatives of those deceased were given a Congressional Gold Medal in honor of their service during WWII. There were a total of 1,102 civilian female pilots who helped ferry fighter, bomber, transport and training aircraft throughout the country in support of America’s war effort some 70 years ago.
WASP were instrumental in leading the way for women military aviators and were the first to fly military aircraft under the direction of the United States Army Air Forces during WWII. More information on the WASP recognition can be found at the links below: • Bill Signing
• Ceremony
• WASP Vi Cowden Flies Again | |
| | Attention Non-Profit Organizations and Educators:  The Gathering Foundation will donate* copies of the Gathering of Mustangs & Legends Air Show program to non-profit and education organizations. This 190+ page program contains a wealth of historical information about the P-51 Mustang, aviators who flew or maintained it, hundreds of historical and current aviation photographs and aircraft, and much more.
The program is a great resource for youngsters interested in the history of aviation, as well as other organizations who collect or display historical aviation information or reference books. Send you request to: info@gatheringfoundation.org or call (407) 846-4400. * Shipping costs are not included in donations. | |
| | Robin Olds Memoirs Released April 13th  “Fighter Pilot – The Memoirs of Legendary Ace Robin Olds” will be released April 13, 2010 and is available now for presale through most major bookstores, including Barnes & Noble, Amazon and Borders. This highly anticipated book about one of America’s greatest aviation legends was compiled (using his writings) by his daughter, Christina Olds and Ed Rasimus, a retired USAF fighter pilot who has written two books on the Vietnam air battle.
"Robin Olds is probably the greatest aerial warrior America ever produced. I confidently predict that this book will be an instant classic." - Stephen Coonts, New York Times bestselling author of The Assassin" To preorder the book on Amazon, click here. | | | 
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Gathering of Mustangs & Legends DVD – Special Offer - $19.99
For a limited time, we are offering the Gathering of Mustangs & Legends DVD for $19.99 plus shipping and handling to members of our email newsletter community. This offer is valid only until April 30, 2010 and there is no limit on the number of purchases.
To take advantage of this offer, you must enter coupon code: GFIA2010. You will enter this code during online checkout in a box called “Coupon Code” that is displayed in red text. 
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| | The Gathering Foundation is always looking for great historical aviation stories. If you have something you’d like to submit, please email it along with any photos by clicking here, or you can send by mail to: The Gathering Foundation
Attn: Angela West
3951 Merlin Drive
Kissimmee, FL 34741 | | 
| | If you're headed to Sun 'N Fun this year, please stop by The Gathering Foundation booths - C37 & C38 - and say "hello." Hope to see you there! Click here for more information about
Sun ‘N Fun. | |
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