Fly out and celebrate

The RAF was founded in 2003 with the purpose of preserving, improving, and creating airstrips for recreational access, both preventing the closure of backcountry strips and establishing new ones. “You can’t just love these places, you have to do things to keep them,” says President Bill McGlynn.

The volunteers at RAF understand the importance of work like maintenance, safety improvements, and advocacy to preserve recreational strips for public access. Pilots are enjoying about 300 airstrips across the country thanks in part to the efforts of dedicated volunteers.

The past two decades have seen an increase in safe, accessible backcountry flying, aircraft camping, and other recreation, and the growth of an enthusiastic community. Each year the RAF hosts a fly-in at Ryan Field near West Glacier, Montana, but this year will be a bit different.

“This special anniversary year, rather than a single location, the celebration will happen all across the country,” said the foundation in a news release. In the spirit of what the RAF has accomplished in the past two decades—protecting recreational airports—it is encouraging pilots to fly out the last weekend of June to the beautiful places around the country that are made even more special by sharing with one another. So, pack a tent for June 23 through 25 and hit your favorite backcountry strip. You just might run into RAF staff and volunteers who will also be flying out for this special weekend.

Visit the RAF website to learn more about the RAF’s mission and news, upcoming events, and how to get involved as a volunteer. [email protected]

theraf.org

Flags for the Fallen

Organizations unite on Memorial Day weekend

By Emma Quedzuweit

The third annual Flags for the Fallen event will take place in conjunction with the reunion of the 100th Bomb Group at the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force in Pooler, Georgia, on Memorial Day weekend, May 26 through 29.

The museum will host a full weekend of educational events for the public, as well as special memorial services honoring those who gave their lives in service to their country. Multiple living history features will be put on by reenactors, and a lineup of presentations from historians, veterans, and family members will include a special panel from the production team of the new Apple TV+ series Masters of the Air, a drama miniseries based on the bestselling book of the same name which highlights members of the 8th Air Force in the European theater. In addition to memorial services and wreath-laying ceremonies in the museum’s memorial garden, Flags for the Fallen will place 26,000 flags—one for every air crewman lost in the 8th Air Force during World War II—in the garden with the help of volunteers. Most of the events are open to the public with museum admission, though some require special registration. Visit the websites for full schedules or volunteer to help place flags. [email protected]

mightyeighth.org/flagsforthefallen
100thbg.com