August 29, 2006

The Quonset Air Museum to Honor Bruce Sundlun.
North Kingstown, RI

A reception for the former Rhode Island Governor, pilot of the famed B-17 “Flying Fortress” and longtime supporter of the QAM is scheduled for Saturday, November 18th in Newport.

North Kingstown, RI- An autumn reception honoring former Governor Bruce Sundlun's contributions to the Quonset Air Museum, home of Rhode Island's aviation heritage, will be held on Saturday, November 18, 2006 at the Commissioned Officers' Club, Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres will be served from 5:00 to 8:00PM.

Tickets are $125 per person. The donation is tax-deductible. Proceeds raised will go to the much-needed repair of the existing Quonset Air Museum building. Former Rhode Island Attorney General Sheldon Whitehouse will make a special presentation to the former Governor.

The mission of the Rhode Island Quonset Air Museum (QAM) is to preserve, interpret and present Rhode Island's aviation history through collections, research, education and exhibits. Founded in 1992 with the assistance of then Governor Sundlun, the air museum educates the public in the state's rich aviation legacy and displays collections that document the contributions of Rhode Island to the growth and development of aviation and space exploration. QAM is housed on 3 acres in an original Naval Air Station Quonset Point hangar built in 1945.

The museum has a large and valuable collection of aircraft, aircraft parts, and other historical artifacts. The 28 aircraft currently on display or under restoration include civilian, military and prototype aircraft dating from 1944 (Hellcat under restoration) to 1983 (F-14 Tomcat).

During World War II, former Governor Sundlun was a pilot aboard a B-17 bomber. The “Flying Fortress” was the workhorse of the Army Air Corps in the European Theatre of Operations (ETO) and responsible for much of the damage done to Germany from the air.

Sundlun’s plane was shot down over Belgium in 1944 and he spent the next six months being secretly shuttled through Belgium and France by the Underground. Sundlun eventually made his way back to England.

Through the years, the former Governor has worked tirelessly to preserve the Quonset Air Museum as an historical tribute to not only the World War II generation, but also all those who served their nation in aviation warfare. During the Second World War, Quonset Naval Air Station played an important role in training pilots for combat in both Europe and the Pacific.

Those interested in attending this special reception should contact John Shepard, Executive Director of the Quonset Air Museum at jshepard@TheQAM.org or 401-556-0928.

Media Contact:

Tim Gray

www.timgraymedia.com

401-862-3422 or timgray@timgraymedia.com