I set my google alerts for the WWII Memorial and am these days frequently rewarded with tidbits like this from the Cinncinati Enquirer “Alan Bailey will give a presentation on the Honor Flight program when the 741 Center hosts a Veterans Club meeting at 11 a.m. April 1 at 570 N. Ohio 741. The program honors American veterans with a free flight to visit the war memorials in Washington.”

He and other Honor flight volunteers quietly gives talks, attend fairs, chicken dinners, pancake breakfasts and do public relations work without any praise so “it’s Al Bailey” day today!!! Lets all cheer for this fellow who is a private pilot and spent 35 years as a civilian aeronautical engineer for the Navy and Air Force. He worked on the team that developed the ejection seat for the F-15, F-16, and A-10 airplanes….now that’s a ride!!! That achievement alone is credited with saving the lives of several hundred fighter pilots who had to eject low to the ground or at speed.

Bailey is a Vietnam veteran and Director of Dayton operations for the national Honor Flight program. After the Convention in February, we had some time and went up to the new Air Force Museum and I managed to get this photograph. It seemed appropriate.

Honor Flight is featured in Jewel of the Mall: World War II Memorial book.