Honor Flight Long Island Veterans Reunion Saturday August 3rd, 2024 at the American Airpower Museum
Saturday August 3, 2024: American Airpower Museum and Honor Flight Long Island will co-host a patriotic reunion of 41 Vietnam War and five Korean War veterans. On May 4, 2024, Honor Flight escorted this band of brothers on an early a.m. flight to Washington, D.C. Veterans and their Guardians visited WWII, Korean War and Vietnam War Memorials, Arlington National Cemetery for a “Changing of the Guard,” plus took a Washington, D.C. bus tour. They returned to MacArthur that evening for a raucous welcome home by the Nassau County Fire Fighters Pipe and Drum Band, plus thunderous applause from hundreds of family, friends and supporters! According to Bill Jones, HFLI President, West Point 1972 Graduate and U.S. Army veteran, “This special flight included 41 Vietnam veterans who received long overdue recognition and thanks for their military service. They were accompanied on this flight by five elder comrades, veterans of the Korean War. What this flight really represented was a ‘Big Hug’ to all our veterans from Honor Flight, their families and supporters who make such flights possible,” he said. Jones noted that newly elected Southampton Supervisor Maria Moore served on this flight as a Guardian. “We’re proud she was on board. The Town has supported HFLI since its beginning, getting us off the ground and ensuring our success. HFLI will be forever grateful for Southampton’s support,” Jones said. He added that May 4th was historic for HFLI, since it marked the nonprofit’s over 2,000 veterans flown milestone since the group started in 2007. Our veterans received a special honor during their May 4th visit to D.C. Despite the pouring rain, HFLI Guardian Eric Wieboldt of Merrick, belted out his original song, “Welcome Home, My Brother,” which brought tears to veterans and onlookers alike. Eric said he wrote his song “because the Vietnam veterans never received a proper welcome home. My song is an attempt to right that wrong,” he added. Eric will perform his song as a special tribute during our August 3rd reunion. On August 3, 2024, American Airpower Museum opens at 10:30 a.m. and the reunion is from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at AAM’s Hangar 3, 1230 New Highway, Farmingdale, NY 11735 – (631) 293-6398, www.americanairpowermuseum.org. The public is encouraged to attend, applaud and cheer our veterans during a “Ceremony of Honors,” as each is presented with a personalized Tribute Journal full of photographs taken during their historic day in Washington, D.C. Members of the public arriving for the event from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. may attend FREE OF CHARGE! After 12:00 p.m., regular museum admission is free for members, $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and veterans, $10 for children ages 5-12 and free for children ages 4 and under. To learn more about the Honor flight mission click the Link below!: https://www.honorflightlongisland.org/
Legends of Airpower 2024 C-47 D-Day Living History Interactive Experience
Visit us on Saturday May 25th during our Legends of Airpower Weekend and take a step back in time as we have a special one day ground based interactive living history experience honoring the 80th Anniversary of D-Day with our amazing team of WWII airborne living historians! Our WWII veteran C-47 will be the backdrop of this interactive and educational experience where you our visitors will get to interact with our living historians in and around the C-47 learning about the historic events of June 6th, 1944 and a more detailed immersion into the critical role the Airborne paratroopers played in the first hours of the D-Day Invasion to the liberate Europe from Nazi occupation. You will be able to get up close with the uniforms, gear, weapons, and the drop platform, the C-47, as our living historians take you through all aspects of the airborne mission to Normandy. This unique experience will immerse you into the roles of the legendary Band of Brothers of the 101st AB, and the All American Division of the 82nd. You will not find such an experience anywhere else! This is not a flight experience, but if you are interested in our C-47 D-Day Flight experience program you can contact us for info for scheduling once they resume tentatively in the fall of 2024.
Legends of Airpower & The Jones Beach Air Show 2024
This Memorial Day Weekend kicks off the American Airpower Museum’s summer with our “Legends of Airpower WWII Warbirds,” and their performance in the Bethpage Federal Credit Union Jones Beach Air Show. AAM’s legendary warbirds including the WWII North American P-51D Mustang, Grumman TBM-3E Avenger Torpedo Bomber, and Curtiss P-40M Warhawk “Flying Tiger,” will take to the skies over Republic Airport on Friday, May 24th, (practice day) plus Saturday to Sunday, May 25th/26th, for the Jones Beach Air Show. Additional aircraft will be on display including our WWII North American B-25 Mitchell, North American AT-6D Trainers, The Vietnam era AT-28D Nomad, and our Cold War era L-39 Jet Fighter/Trainers. Military aviation enthusiasts will not want to miss AAM’s WWII C-47 80th Anniversary D-Day Living History Experience, as WWII Airborne reenactors interact with our visitors on Saturday, May 25th. Throughout the weekend, visitors will be enthralled as US Navy Blue Angels and USAF A-10 “Warthogs” take off and return at Republic. Blue Angels practice on May 24th too! So, if you’re not going to Jones Beach, there is simply no better place to be than on AAM’s ramp, right off New Highway. Witness hours of awe-inspiring aviation action, as our warbirds and US military aircraft take off and land from our flight line Saturday and Sunday. You won’t be able to get much closer than that! Watch AAM’s awe-inspiring aircraft take off to perform practice flybys over Republic all day Friday, May 24th. Get up close and personal with these historic bombers and fighters of yesteryear! Then join us at AAM to catch even more aerial action Saturday and Sunday, as our warbirds lift off to perform in the air show! Flight experiences are also available each day on one of AAM’s AT-6 Texans, plus our red WACO Biplane! Park for FREE in AAM’s lot or along New Highway. Food and Ice Cream trucks are available onsite. AAM is also open Monday, Memorial Day, closing at 4:00 p.m. According to AAM President Jeff Clyman, the goal for this three-day extravaganza is two-fold. “To honor the men and women of the ‘Greatest Generation’ who built, maintained and piloted the iconic warbirds of yesteryear, in a bold defense of freedom during WWII, as well as active-duty military, reservists and the national guard, who continue this mission today.” Clyman said that public support strengthens AAM’s mission to educate the next generation about American military aviation history, and will also help maintain the Museum’s iconic aircraft. “Help keep ‘em flying,” he added. As a special promotion, every paying Museum guest (18 and over) Friday through Monday, is entitled to win a Cockpit USA “made in the USA” leather flight jacket. Cockpit USA, sponsor of the American Airpower Museum, is official supplier to the United States Air Force of A-2 leather flight jackets! Various genuine leather flight jackets and other militaria specially priced and on sale all weekend, can be purchased at AAM’s gift shop!
The Vietnam War 50th Anniversary Medal Ceremony
Long Island’s Vietnam War veterans will receive the Vietnam 50th Anniversary Commemorative Medal in a solemn ceremony signifying the official end of United States involvement in the Vietnam War. Conducted by the Long Island Air and Space Forces Association and hosted by the American Airpower Museum, the ceremony takes place on Saturday, May 11, 2024, starting at 11:30 a.m., and honors 30 local veterans who served in all branches of the U.S. Military during the Vietnam War period. The United States Department of Defense (DOD) Vietnam 50th Anniversary Commemoration program, has been going on for nine years now (ends at the conclusion of 10 years). The Long Island Air and Space Forces Association (LIAFA) is a DOD 50th Anniversary Commemoration Sponsor. Please visit their web site at https://www.vietnamwar50th.com Local public officials, as well as the honorees’ families, will be on hand for this historic ceremony. “This special ceremony honors Vietnam veterans who will receive long overdue recognition and thanks for their service” said Fred DiFabio, President of the LIAFA who served in Vietnam. “Honoring our Vietnam Vets with the commemorative medals means a lot to these guys, especially since their families will also be there to bear witness,” DiFabio added. Conducting the ceremony will be Colonel (ret.) Bill Stratemeier, LIAFA Treasurer, a U.S. Air Force pilot who flew supplies into Vietnam between 1972 and 1974. “Many vets were criticized for their service in Vietnam, but we’re proud to honor them over five decades later,” Stratemeier said. He noted LIAFA began honoring Vietnam veterans with the commemorative medals in 2015. “To date, LIAFA has honored over 1,300 veterans with such medals,” he added. One of the reasons American Airpower Museum (AAM) was chosen for this ceremony is their exhibits include actual Vietnam era fighter-bomber aircraft that were used during the Vietnam War. Jeff Clyman, AAM President explained: “Our Museum is the ideal site for these veterans and their families to gather, commiserate and reminisce. Please come and applaud our home-grown heroes, show them respect, that we appreciate and honor their service,” he said. The ceremony will include a Presentation of Colors, Introduction of Distinguished Guests, Dignitary Comments, Presentation of Medals and Singing of God Bless America and the National Anthem. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla Band will perform the popular “Armed Forces Salute,” featuring six official melodies of the U.S. Armed Forces: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Forces and the Coast Guard. The program is free and open to the public.
EASTER EGG HUNT AT THE AMERICAN AIRPOWER MUSEUM
Join us for the American Airpower Museum’s Annual Family Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 23rd, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Follow the bunnies and be sure to have your Easter Baskets ready for the Egg Hunt! Young and old alike will enjoy the Museum’s Easter Tram Rides around Hangar 3 and our flight line. Take Photos with AAM’s resident Easter Bunny! Visit our “Bunny Patch” and adopt your very own bunny or chick! (Plush toys, not live animals. Limit one “pet” bunny or chick per child.) The fun begins at 11:00 a.m. at the American Airpower Museum, Republic Airport, Hangar 3, 1230 New Highway, Farmingdale, NY 11735. No pre-registration or tickets required. Admission for Adults $15, Seniors/Vets $12, Kids (3-12) $10. For more information call (631) 293-6398. American Airpower Museum’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt AAM, Hangar 3, 1230 New Highway, Farmingdale, NY Saturday, March 23, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Enjoy A Fun-filled Family Event Celebrating Easter 2024 Admission Adults $15, Seniors/Vets $12, Kids (3-12) $10
Celebrating Black History Month – Remembering the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion and the Legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen
Saturday, February 24, 2024, at 11:00 a.m – The American Airpower Museum at Republic Airport in Farmingdale, NY celebrates Black History Month with Living History Presentations honoring the memory of Tuskegee Airmen and the men of the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion, America’s first Black Paratrooper Battalion of WWII in the then segregated U.S. Army. Beginning at 11:00 a.m. AAM volunteer and WWII Airborne Living Historian Nick Casseus, will give an educational presentation about 555th and their establishment in 1943 as an airborne battalion of the 82nd Airborne Division as well as their integral part of the Homefront mission “Operation Firefly” where they trained as airborne “Smoke Jumpers” to combat forest fires in the Pacific Northwest started by Japanese Incendierary Balloon bombs in the last year of WWII. Nick will curate the unveiling the Museum’s newest display honoring the “Triple Nickles” and their earned title of “Smoke Jumpers” for their part in Operation Firefly in 1945. Following the 555th PIB presentation, Mr.Reynard Burns, PR Officer for the Claude B. Govan Tri-State Tuskegee Airmen Chapter, will give an educational presentation honoring the famed “Red Tails” and then open it up to a Q & A session for our attending visitors. On January 11, 2001, AAM dedicated one of the first ever permanent exhibits honoring the Tuskegee Airmen’s 332nd Fighter Group. Former NYS Governor George Pataki and a dozen surviving Tuskegee Airmen, including Roscoe Brown, Lee Archer and William Wheeler, gathered under a full-size replica of Archer’s P-51D Mustang Fighter for the dedication. This replica is still suspended from AAM’s Hangar 3 and will be part of the days presentation. During the course of the Day following the Living History Presentations we will have two free screenings of the 2012 movie “Red Tails” with Cuba Gooding Jr. and Terrance Howard in our Briefing room Theater. Admission to the days events includes reserved seating for the screening. The First screening begins at 12:00, and the second will begin at 2:00 p.m. Refreshments and snacks will be available. We look forward to having you join us for the educational and inspiring event!
Honor Flight Long Island Veterans Reunion at the American Airpower Museum
American Airpower Museum is proud to host an Honor Flight Long Island Reunion on December 2nd 2023, reuniting 45 Veterans who took a free Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. on September 29, 2023. These Long Island heroes visited their military memorials, commiserated with fellow Veterans and exchanged stories. Honor Flight’s mission is to honor fellow Long Islanders who served in the Armed Forces of the United States, by providing all-expense paid one-day trips to D.C. for the Veterans Thanks to HFLI, these 45 Veterans took a free, early-morning Southwest flight from MacArthur Airport to Washington, D.C. Veterans, their Guardians and Honor Flight officials visited World War II, Korean War and Vietnam Memorials, Arlington National Cemetery for a “Changing of the Guard,” the Air Force Memorial and Iwo Jima Memorial. They returned to MacArthur later that evening for a rousing welcome home by the Saffron United Pipe Band, plus thunderous applause from hundreds of family, friends and supporters! According to Bill Jones, HFLI President, West Point 1972 Graduate and U.S. Army Veteran, “This special flight included 42 Vietnam War Veterans who received long overdue recognition and thanks for their service,” Jones said. “They were accompanied by 3 elder comrades, 1 World War II Veteran and 2 Korean War Veterans. What this flight really represented was a ‘Big Hug’ to all our Veterans from Honor Flight, their families and supporters, who make such flights possible,” Jones added. On December 2nd the Museum doors open at 10:30 a.m. and the reunion runs from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at AAM’s Hangar 3, 1230 New Highway, Farmingdale, NY. Admission for the Veterans, their Guardians and families, is free. The public is also invited to attend FREE OF CHARGE if they arrive between 10:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. After 11:00 a.m., regular Museum admission is $15 for Adults, $12 for Seniors and Veterans, $10 for kids 5 to 12. Come and cheer these Veterans during our “Ceremony of Honors,” as they receive personalized Tribute Journals full of photos taken during their D.C. trip. This great patriotic event includes speeches by HFLI President Bill Jones and AAM President and Founder Jeff Clyman. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla Band will play a popular patriotic medley known as the “Armed Forces Salute,” featuring the five official musical themes of the U.S. Armed Forces: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard. Free refreshments for all provided by HFLI.
Honoring our Hometown Heroes – Veterans Day 2023
The American Airpower Museum (AAM), Honor Flight Long Island (HFLI) and Mission Margraten Plus (MMP), cordially invite you to join them at the AAM Hangar on Saturday, November 11th at 11:00 am for a Veteran’s Day Commemoration. Admission is free to all veterans and their families. The event will include opening remarks by the AAM and HFLI followed by two tribute flights of our Douglas C-47 transport, weather permitting. Each flight will have on board preselected WWII, Korean and Vietnam War veterans, plus two local High School students whose essays about veterans were chosen as winners in a contest. The C-47 Skytrain is the same type of plane that dropped Airborne troops behind enemy lines in Normandy, France on D-Day, 80 years ago this coming June 6th. Coffee and pastries will be provided to our veterans and families. At exactly 2:11 pm, we will observe two minutes of silence as prescribed by The Veterans Day Moment of Silence Act of 2016. The American Airpower Museum is dedicated to educating current and future generations about the invaluable and selfless contributions made by our veterans and their families in order to keep this country safe. HFLI’s mission has been to fly veterans, free of charge, to Washington DC to visit our National War Memorials. Mission Margraten Plus was born from the desire of group of WWII veterans to travel to The Netherlands for the anniversary of the Dutch Liberation from Nazi occupation. MMP provides day and overnight trips, as well as local activities and events for elderly New York Veterans. They continue to be a cultural bridge between the United States and the people of the Netherlands. “Whether they served in the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, Merchant Marines or Coast Guard, all Veterans who defended freedom and U.S. interests during WWII and subsequent wars in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, and now the War Against Terrorism, deserve to be honored. Aware of the risks, our Veterans fought in America’s battles against Fascism, Communism, in defense of liberty worldwide. We’re proud to honor them this Veterans Day.” -Jeff Clyman, AAM President. WHEN: Saturday November 11, 2023, 11:00 am WHERE: The American Airpower Museum, 1230 New Highway , Farmingdale, NY 11735
Halloween Haunted Hangar Spooktacular!
C-47 D-Day Living History Flight Experience October 7th, 2023
Take a flight back in time with the American Airpower Museum C-47 D-Day Living History Next C-47 D-Day Living History Flight Experience Saturday October 7th, 2023! Gear up and Hook up for a living history experience as our Re-Enactor historians and flight experience walks you through what it was like for the C-47 crews of the 9th Troop Carrier Command and for men of the 82nd, and 101st Airborne on that legendary and harrowing “Night of Nights” on June 5th, 1944, nearly 80 years ago. The C-47 “Skytrain” you will take to the skies on is the aircraft type that flew the first American troops into ground combat in Europe during WWII that would help lead the way to victory on the Beaches of Normandy on 6 June 1944 and ultimately liberating Europe from the Nazi occupation. Your flight experience will begin as you arrive to a welcome at the American Airpower Museum and will join our living historians as they gear you up in your M-42 Jump Jacket, Helmet, and reproduction harness as a WWII 101st Airborne Paratrooper. You will be briefed on the WWII Airborne experience and the mission of that legendary night and following day, 6 June 1944. Following your mission brief you will be ready to board the American Airpower Douglas C-47 the same aircraft type that carried paratroopers into combat on D-Day. You will then take a 20-minute flight experience joined by our living historians where you will get to enjoy the scenic flight around Long Island NY while learning what it was like for the Pilots, Crews, and Paratroopers during their mission. As the mission/flight concludes you will hook up and shuffle to the door just like they did back in 1944! Don’t worry there’s no jumping out on this ride! This will happen on the ground when you return to the American Airpower Museum before you walk off the aircraft and join our historians for photos and conclude your living history flight experience with us! A unique and special experience to fly on our historic and legendary C-47 Aircraft while learning about the historic events of D-Day as we approach the 80th anniversary of this historic day that was the beginning of the end of World War Two in Europe. To book your Flight Experience click on the link below and reserve your seat online, or call: (516) 531-3950. Seats are filling fast so don’t delay! Be sure to select October 7th on the online calendar to see seat booking availability.