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FIRST FLIGHT CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION'S DECEMBER 15th PROGRAM TO CELEBRATE MILITARY AVIATION

Kill Devil Hills , NC
December 9, 2003

Event organizers have announced programming for Monday, December 15th during the First Flight Centennial Celebration at Wright Brothers National Memorial, taking place December 12-17. Themed "Protecting the Home of the Brave", the day's events will celebrate aviation's impact on the military, and is designed to honor those men and women who developed and flew military aircraft through the years. Highlights include both flyovers and static displays of military aircraft dating back to World War I, participation from the U.S. Military stationed around the world, and a special honor for all branches of the military. Gates and exhibits open each day at 8 a.m., with exhibits closing at 4 p.m. and gates closing at 5 p.m.

Main Stage:

Monday's Main Stage highlights include a welcome by Lieutenant Governor Beverly Perdue, with remarks by General T. Michael Moseley, Vice Chief of Staff, United States Air Force and Judge Craig Manson, Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife and Parks; U.S. Department of the Interior. At 9:30 a.m., the Joint Service Color Guard will make the presentation of colors. Aaron Tippin will perform on the Main Stage at 1 p.m.

Air shows and Flyovers: Military demonstrations and flyovers featuring aircraft from vintage through modern eras will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Skydiving demonstrations will be given by United States Air Force Academy Wings of Blue team.

First Flight Centennial Pavilion:

In the First Flight Centennial Pavilion Auditorium, the day will be kicked off at 8:30 a.m. with a program entitled "Good Morning First Flight", featuring an aviation film or video. At 10:30 a.m. a U.S. Coast Guard band is scheduled to play military music.

In addition, the First Flight Centennial Pavilion will feature its current exhibits from NASA, the United States Air Force, The Outer Banks History Center, General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) and North Carolina's First Flight Centennial Commission.

Exhibits Throughout the Park:

On-site exhibits are filled with interactive activities to educate visitors and engage them in the wonders of flight. Confirmed on-site exhibitors for the six-day celebration include the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA); the United States Air Force; the United States Coast Guard; the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA); the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA); Dare County Schools; the United States Postal Service, and the First Flight Society. Static aircraft will also be on display throughout the park.

Visitor Center:

The park's Visitor Center will house an exhibit of Wright brothers' artifacts from the Museo Aeronautico Gianni Caproni in Italy. Park rangers will give interpretive talks on the hour. At 11 a.m. a panel of Aviation Legends will take place, featuring moderator Dr. Tom Crouch, Senior Curator of Aeronautics at the National Air and Space Museum; Ethel Finley of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP); Nancy Wright of The Ninety-Nines, Inc.; Colonel Charles McGee of the Tuskegee Airmen; and Colonel Bob Morgan, pilot of the Memphis Belle.

All of the most recent information on the First Flight Centennial Celebration can be accessed at the Centennial website on http://www.firstflightcentennial.org. Friday, December 12 is a non-ticketed day. December 16 and 17 are sold out. General Admission tickets for December 13-15 are still available for purchase for $10 per day until the daily 35,000-ticket limit has been reached. Ticket sales must be made in person from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. at the Fort Raleigh Visitor Center in Manteo, NC. Forms of payment include personal checks, cash, MasterCard or Visa credit cards. Phone orders will not be accepted.

For information on accommodations, check the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau website at http://www.outerbanks.org or call their toll-free number at (877) 298-4373. For information on the event's transportation plan, see http://www.ncdot.org/news/centennialceleb11_03.html

Contact:

Erin Porter Centennial Planning Office
Tel: 252 441 6291, ext. 224
ErinPorterNPS@aol.com



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