Friday, January 22, 2010

Silver Wings Speakers Luncheon: David Pearce, Laura Kelley, RD - January 22, 2010


Do you plan to attend our luncheon? Click here to make sure your name is on our list. Haven't reserved yet? Call us at (202) 588-9055


JANUARY AGENDA: Pledge of Allegiance, Invocation, Election. Speakers: David Pearce, John Kay, Tareq Salahi, Laura Kelly, and Ron's Video


Election of officers. A slate has been prepared which includes the following:

Officers: Ron David, President, Whitey Feightner, Vice President, Joan Stalk, Treasurer, Linda Wells, Secretary.
Members of the Board: "Randy" Brandt, Gil Coshland, Steve Craven, Ron Gatewood, Laura Kelly, "Mac" McMahon.
Nominations from the floor are welcome.


We will salute Silver Winger David Pearce who has been honored by the FAA with the prestigious Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award. David was recognized recently in a ceremony at his home base, Leesburg Airport, for having demonstrated professionalism, skill and aviation expertise by maintaining safe operations for 50 or more years of active flying. The FAA's Phyllis Duncan made the presentation. We can all be extremely proud of David's half Century of contributions to aviation.



The first recorded aerial assault on an enemy force by ship-based warplanes occurred in 1915 when British aircraft attacked Imperial German Zeppelin sheds in Cuxhaven, Lower Saxony. Hampered by bad weather, the result of the raid was mixed, but it is remembered as the first aerial raid by ship-based aircraft of all time. Retired British journalist and SWOW member John Kay will provide an exclusive report.

The Battle of the Coral Sea will be remembered by a flight of vintage aircraft this Spring when polo teams representing the United States and Australia compete for the Land Rover America's Polo Cup in Potomac, Maryland. Match dates will coincide with the 67th commemoration of the fierce air sea battle which lasted four days in May of 1942. International polo star and co-founder of the America's Polo Cup Tareq Salahi will be on hand at our meeting to give us the scoop about the event.


USS Lexington receives fatal hit May 8, 1942
during Coral Sea Battle

On the Wings of a Dream is the title of Silver Winger Laura Kelly's book about Jim Griffis, a WWII ace who also served two years in a German POW camp. The book is much more than a biography because it also encompasses a short history of aerial combat and even includes an interview with a German fighter pilot. Laura is an aerobatic pilot and flies helicopters for the US Army.