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LEFT---Warren Eaton, George Scragg and Frank Lahm. Reunion Chairman Scragg emceed the banquet program. MIDDLE---Scene as Early Birds got together for the banquet. RIGHT---Miss Felicity Burnelli presenting the Medal-of-the-Month to Maj. Gen. Frank P. Lahm. Our next stop was the attractive Twin Coaches Inn, near Belle Vernon, Pa., on the road to Pittsburgh, follwing a bus ride through the coloful autumn countryside. Here we were the guests once again of All-America Aviation Expositions, Inc., and we certainly are grateful to these wonderful hosts for their warm hospitality. To say the banquet was a huge success would be an understatement. The food was excellent, and all EB's enjoyed themselves to the utmost. At the head table were ten persons, including Miss Felicity Burnelli, Col. Hamar Denny, Jr.---our guest speaker, representatives of our host, and officials of the Early Birds. President Eaton opened our program with a hearty welcome to all 69 persons present, and Pete Goff led us in our pledge to the flag. Warren reminded us that the day was an important aeronautical anniversary, it being fifty years since Glenn Curtiss first won the "Scientific America" Trophy in the Aerial Expermient Association's "June Bug." with a flight of over a kilometer at Hammondsport, N.Y. He then presented the Chairman of the Reunion Committee, George Scragg, who received a well-deserved round of applause for the hard work and efficient planning he had put forth to provide us with such an outstanding series of entertainments. He told us that Fred Crawford, who has so often been our genial toastmatster, had sent cordial greetings and regrets that he could not be present along with the regrets of many Early Birds. We were led by George in a hearty welcome to our nine new members. A silent tribute was then offered to nine others who, during the past year, had taken off on their last flight. Miss Felicity Burnelli was introduced although most of us know this lovely sister of one of our worthy members. She has devoted many years of her useful life to the promotion of the Medal of the Month Club which she organized to design and present a series of medals honoring great persons in notable fields of accomplishment. The designs are sculptured by leading artists. Miniature copies are often awarded schools and other organizations to students and others who excel, thus encouraging progress. Miss Burnelli's aeronautical medals have honored the Wright Brothers, Glenn Curtiss, General Billy Mitchell, Amelia Earhart, Edwin Musick and Frank Hawks; and at our 1958 banquet such an award was made to Maj. Gen. Frank P. Lahm. In presenting him with the original large-size galvanic impression of this medal, she spoke of the General's remarkable career as an active pilot of balloons, airships and airplanes over a period of forty years. He was one of the two first military officers taught to fly by Wilbur Wright; first to fly in the Philippines where he established an Army air base; commander of lighter-than-air operations in World War I; organizer of Randolph Field in Texas as a great flight training center; and holder of many other honors and records. Miss Burnelli said that presenting this medal to General Lahm in person was one of the greatest moments of her life. Lahm on his part said that he was deeply appreciative of being included with the other great men of aeronautical history represented in this Medal-of-the-Month series, and in receiving it on the occasion of the Early Bird reunion, he felt it was a tribute to our organization. The medal has been turned over to our secretary to be included with his other medals in the National Air Museum. Introducing our guest speaker, the Honorable Hamar Denny, Jr., of the Civil Aeronautics Board, George Scragg described him as a native of Pittsburgh, a former Congressman, an aviator, and a veteran of both World Wars, with the rank of Colonel. Col. Denny said it was an honor to be with the Early Birds. He said we had all done our part, but we could bettter understand what else was being done and how we might participate and help, by knowing more about the present situation and what the Civil Aeromautics Board is doing and must do, to promote flight safety and efficiency. Contrasting the past with the present, Col. Denny said he had learned to fly forty years ago when it was a real pleasure. Then there were few instruments to watch as opposed to many today, and the speed was leisurely as compared with the tremendous modern speeds. Today we have bombers with speeds of 600 mph, fighters flying at over a thousand, supersonic missiles, and satellites orbiting around the earth. In addition to our military aircraft, there are some 67,000 private aircraft and 2000 airliners in the U.S., and the task of keeping track of them requires constant alertness from civil aeronautics organizations. Whereas speed increases in the past have been gradual and control programs have been able to pace them, today's jets offer great increases in speed which must be compensated for. In this jet aage, before a pilot can recognize an approaching plane, it has passed by, so extreme care must be taken to avoid collision. This means that orders from ground stations where radar images are closely watched and controlled. Super airways are needed, individual channels of air must be set aside for commercial flights, and other aircraft prevented from invading them. All of these requirements for air safety are urgent. More funds are needed for the development of improved control equipment and for operating personnel, and in the meantime we must use the current "hardware" that we have. Col. Denny asked for continued support and was very gracious in answering questions following his talk. The morning after the banquet, many of us attended the meeting of the Board of Governors for a discussion of program and activities. Then on to the annual business meeting which is reported elswhere in this issue. This was followed by a return trip to the airport by bus. |
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