The
Quonset Air Museum to Honor Bruce Sundlun
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 and can be ordered at www.theQAM.org
or by calling the museum at 401-294-9540. The cost of the
ticket is tax-deductible with all proceeds going towards
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
that evening.
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).
An
incredible story of survival
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. He spent the next
several months being secretly shuttled through Belgium and
France by the underground. Sundlun eventually made his way
back to England via Spain. Sundlun's story of survival while
on the run from the Germans would make an excellent Hollywood
movie.
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 401-294-9540.
Media
interested in doing an interview with former Governor Sundlun
prior to the event, should contact Tim Gray at 401 -862-3422.
B-17
"Flying Fortress"
| Media
Contact:
Tim
Gray
www.timgraymedia.com
|
|
