Women in Aviation Gala by the Palm Springs Air Museum

Stories

The Palm Springs Air Museum held its annual gala on Saturday, February 18th. Over 800 guests came to honor Women in Aviation. These women have broken the glass ceiling and taken it into the stratosphere. Women in aviation have accomplished much, including becoming generals, flying into space, creating new planes by becoming test pilots, and training future aviation recruits.

Guests arrived, service members lined the red carpet, and younger cadets were inside the Museum. Cocktail hour was held in the giant hangar where drinks and appetizers were served, as pizzas and tacos by Lulu’s Catering and events. Guests got their photos taken in front of a plane, while others took iPhone photos of the aircraft on the runway in front of the hangar. Artist Stan Stokes had his paintings for each of the honorees on display.

There was an awe-inspiring display of uniforms worn by famous people. Celebrities like actors Steve Martin uniforms. Uniforms by women Arlene Duerk and Carol Mutter and more, to name just a few. The many uniforms were from all wars. They were on loan just for this gala. Each uniform came with an explanation of who wore it and when. So many different ones were exciting. and Carl Reiner, Sports figures like Jack Dempsey and Stan Musial, and Astronauts like Pete Conrad wear of the history of the Air Museum and how it has grown. The Museum is more than just planes from the wars. It shows so much history of our country and our brave heroes who kept us free. There is much to see with all the programs they host. They are now the proud owners of an EMMY for a movie on their 25th anniversary.

Actor Joe Mantegna was the Master of Ceremonies again this year. He wore his favorite jacket. His friend Colonel Bob Friend, a famous Tuskegee Airman, gave him the coat. The friend lived to age 99, and his plane is at the Air Museum; named Bunny, his wife’s name. A video was shown of each honoree and their accomplishments, which was very impressive. They also acquired the Walt Disney Plane, another famous plane to add to the collection. The Museum is a Flying Museum where some aircraft have flown.

The Air Museum is now Number 1 in all of California. They are a teaching facility that brings students in for a first flight and pays for bussing and lunch for school children. They also allow children 12 and under free admittance. There was a color guard appearance with the Mountain Fifes and Drum group and the Desert Hot Springs High School U.S. Marine Corps Youth ROTC. Presentation of Colors by Edwards AFB Color Guard and a solo by Staff Sergeant Horace Miller. Such Pageantry was so fun to watch.

Fred Bell hosted the raise the paddle to raise funds to keep the pro CW5 Laurie Deboer, Artist Stan Stokes, and Capt Elizabeth Sommerville. grams alive. Thousands of monies were raised. Bell announced the new children’s learning center to honor Ronald M. Auen. He made a surprise announcement of $500,000 by the Huston Auen and one Million by the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundations to help build the new center. He said that there is a grave shortage of pilots. Airlines are paying big money to pilots. He said he heard some are making over a million dollars a year. Guests were treated to music by the Cathedral High School Chorus. The Elite Show Band played before and after the program. Dancing followed.