Depicting a U.S. Army’s 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion soldier from the 1943 Italian campaign, re-enactor Matt Varnes of Addison, Illinois, reads a letter from home. Photo by Frederick A. Johnsen

A tip of the hat Free hat to vets, active-duty military

All veterans and active military personnel can display their pride at EAA AirVenture with a free “Salute to Veterans” commemorative hat, courtesy of Oshkosh Corporation, the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), and EAA Warbirds of America. Hats are available daily during AirVenture from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at a pickup location adjacent to the wayfinding tower in the Warbirds area, while supplies last each day. Veterans and active military personnel must be present in order to receive the hat.

An extensive list of special programs and events will be part of EAA’s Salute to Veterans week-long celebration, which includes more than 300 warbirds from every era joining forces with our current military.

The Salute to Veterans celebration honors military personnel from all branches in the United States, as well as other nations, for service to their country and fellow citizens.

“Salute to Veterans is a way for EAA members to say thank you to all those who have served and to remember those who never came home,” said Bill Fischer, executive director, EAA Warbirds of America.

This celebration, which is led by EAA, the Warbirds of America, and the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), coincides with the 75th anniversaries of two significant U.S. military aircraft: The Boeing B-17 bomber and the Douglas DC-3 aircraft, which carried the C-47 (Army) and R-4D (Navy) designations during its active military service.

There will be dozens of DC-3s on the grounds, including for the “Max Effort” day tomorrow, when many of those aircraft will be flying in an unforgettable display.

A special veterans parade will take place at 2 p.m. on Friday, July 30. Veterans should meet at Taxiway P-1 on the southern edge of Scotts Warbird Alley at 1:30 p.m. The parade will end with a first-ever group photo at 2:30 p.m. on AeroShell Square officially opening the afternoon air show.

Hundreds of forums and presentations are taking place in honor of our veterans all over AirVenture grounds. There will be a daily “salute” presentation from a veteran(s) at the EAA Welcome Center at 10 a.m. on the Welcome Center Stage. If you are a veteran, make sure you sign the Veterans Wall in the Welcome Center.

Twice daily, at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., the Warbirds in Review program will highlight a specific airplane, the people who flew them, and the pilots that own them today.

What not to miss:

• Monday: Scotts Warbird Alley dedication 2 p.m.; Afternoon air show featuring the North American T-28s.
• Tuesday: “Max Effort” afternoon air show featuring DC-3/C-47 formation flights and aerial displays.
• Wednesday: Afternoon air show featuring warbirds from the Vietnam War era.
• Thursday: “Honor Flight” to Washington, D.C. 8 a.m. departure and 6 p.m. arrival back in Oshkosh, AeroShell Square; afternoon air show featuring classic warbird jets.
• Friday: Veterans Parade (2 p.m.) and group photo (2:30 p.m.) just prior to air show, afternoon air show featuring the “Warbirds Spectacular” with pyrotechnics; Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band, presented by EAA, EAA Warbirds of America and the Disabled American Veterans 8 p.m. in the Theater in the Woods. The band tours the world performing for our troops with the USO (Gary is best known for his role as Vietnam veteran Lt. Dan Taylor in the classic film Forrest Gump).
• Saturday: Afternoon air show featuring the “Warbirds Spectacular” with pyrotechnics.
• Sunday: Afternoon air show featuring “Warbird Aerobatics” (note: approx 2 p.m.; all other afternoon air shows start at approx. 3 p.m.).

For a full listing of Salute to Veterans events and special aircraft at AirVenture, visit www.AirVenture.org/salute or refer to the AirVenture Info Guide, which is available throughout the grounds.

And don’t forget to thank a veteran during your stay at AirVenture!