PACAF supports Air Force Memorial debut in Nation's capital

  • Published
  • By Capt. Allison Farabaugh
  • Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs
HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii -- --  Pacific Air Forces was on hand to support the unveiling of the Air Force Memorial and Air Force Open House in Washington DC. Saturday. 

The $30 million memorial, set next to the Arlington National Cemetery, overlooks the Pentagon and the nation's capital beyond. The three 17,000-ton metal spires make the centerpiece of the memorial reaching 270 feet into the wild blue yonder accompanied by a bronze statue of an honor guard detail and two inscribed granite walls. 

Gen. Paul V. Hester, PACAF commander, was on hand to witness the festivities. "I'm very proud of the men and women who make up our Air Force, and this memorial salutes them and those who blazed the trail." 

The event's guest speakers included President George W. Bush, Gen. T. Michael Moseley, Air Force Chief of Staff, Chief Master Sgt. Rodney J. McKinley, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force and former PACAF command chief, and Ross Perot Jr., chairman of the Air Force Memorial Foundation. 

"To all who have climbed sunward and chased the shouting wind, America stops to say your service and sacrifice will be remembered forever and honored in this place by the citizens of a free and grateful nation." President Bush said. 

"Under these magnificent spires, we pay tribute to the men and women of the Air Force who stand ready to give all to their country," he said. "And looking from this promontory to a place once filled with smoke and flames, we remember why we need them." 

The memorial was designed by the late James Ingo Freed and the three spires were inspired by the bomb burst maneuver often performed by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. The memorial also pays tribute to and honors the patriotic men and women of the Air Force and its predecessor organizations. 

The open house was held near the Pentagon in conjunction with the dedication ceremony and featured performances by the U.S. Air Force Band, the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard drill team and culminated with a concert featuring country music performer LeeAnn Womack. In addition to static displays of the Global Hawk, CV-22 Osprey and the F-16, there were information booths from all major commands, Air Force Recruiting and the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps.