Aviation Day Tour at Woodland

From Woodland Wire August newsletter;

Woodland Cemetery & Arboretum,

Site #8 on the Aviation Trail

National Aviation Day, August 19, celebrates the development of  aviation.

Wikipedia states that the holiday was established in 1939 by Franklin D. Roosevelt, who issued a presidential proclamation which designated the anniversary of Orville Wright's birthday to be National Aviation Day.

Orville Wright, born in 1871, was still alive when the proclamation was first issued, and would live another nine years. The proclamation was codified (USC 36:I:A:1:118), and it allows the sitting President to proclaim August 19 as National Aviation Day each year, if desired. Their proclamation may direct all federal buildings and installations to fly the US flag on that day, and may encourage citizens to observe the day with activities that promote interest in aviation.

This year, Woodland has put together a tour commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the first presidential proclamation of Aviation Day on August 19th, 1939. This special tour will begin at the grave site of the Wright Brothers and travel through the cemetery sharing stories of the men and women who helped Dayton grow the air services during WWI to today's Air Force.

Some of our stories will include how Wright-Patterson Air Force Base got its name and how Requarth Lumber helped the Wright's build their planes. There will be a couple of light-hearted stories from Horace Wright whose Uncle Orv teased him and the other children.

The tour will feature prominent citizens Col. Edward A. Deeds and Gov. James M. Cox and how they figured in Dayton's aviation history as well as the Huffman family who many know as manufacturers of the Huffy brand bicycle. Also featured will be veterans of the Army Air Corp and Air Force and how they made a difference in the world of aviation.

Join us on Monday, August 19th at 6:00 pm. Park near the Wright Brothers monument and meet us at the family grave site. This tour may be deemed strenuous by some as we will walk up and down the hills of Woodland. Please wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a water bottle if desired. In the event of rain, a presentation featuring all the people on the walk will be presented in the Mausoleum. 

Reservations required. Please call 937-228-3221.

Historic Woodland Cemetery & Arboretum

118 Woodland Avenue, Dayton, OH 45409-2892

www.woodlandcemetery.org