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Falcon Field plans 80th anniversary events

TRIBUNE NEWS STAFF

Falcon Field Airport is again welcoming friends from across the Atlantic for its 80th anniversary commemorative events this month. “In 1941, the United States was not in the war yet, but Britain was embroiled in a war. Learning how to fly in a war-torn environment, especially in Europe with the weather the way it is, was difficult and inefficient. The U.S. had an agreement with Britain for training and support, so that meant that places like Falcon Field were built to train Royal Air Force cadets,” said Mike Doyle, pilot and member of the Wings of Flight Foundation.

On Sept. 14, 1941, the No. 4 British Flying Training School opened on an empty expanse of desert on the undeveloped northern edge of Mesa, one of six pilot training bases created in America to train Allied pilots. The Wings of Flight Foundation pilot group is reuniting school members by researching and inviting them and their families to Mesa for the milestone anniversary. They have located 20 living pilots, 33 The wraps around the buildings on bustling Falcoln Field in Mesa are an impressive tribute to the pilots who trained there during World War II. (Tribune file photo) widows and over 95 families and will host some of them for a week of activities. The reunion will culminate in a dinner gala on Nov. 13 in an original 1941 hangar surrounded by vintage military aircraft, including some used in Falcon Field training between 1941-1945.

“When we moved into the historic hangar, we were gifted a box of memorabilia by Mesa Vice Mayor Jenn Duff. She is a descendant of a British Royal Air Force navigation instructor who trained cadets at Falcon Field,” said WOFF member and reunion organizer Jocelyn Condon. “The box included documents from the 50th celebration back in 1991.” British cadet descendant Kathryn Masters and RAF pilot descendant John Barber of Tempe researched and contacted pilots and their descendants. They also included U.S. citizens who supported the training mission at Falcon Field as aircraft mechanics, air traffic controllers, and administrative staff with the help of Carolyn Wischler McDaniel, daughter of Joe Wischler who was the Chief Mechanic at Falcon Field from 1941-1945.

““I think it’s important for future generations to know how Mesa participated in World War II and what the ‘greatest generation’ gave up for our freedom,” said Anne Beeby, whose father Ken Beeby received RAF pilot training at Falcon Field.

Events and activities related to Falcon Field Airport’s history and 80th Anniversary: • Wings of Flight Foundation has created an archive in partnership with the Imperial War Museum in Duxford, England for the pictures and stories about the No. 4 British Flying Training School: americanairmuseum.com/unit/4175 . • Documentary film producer Kelly Sallaway of Rushbrook Media is filming a series about each of the six British training flying schools. A preview of her film will be shown at the gala. • Wings of Flight Foundation has been working with local museum curator Steve Hoza to develop an educational display for the historic hangar at Falcon Field. • Daryl F. Mallett, author of the Falcon Field book in the Images of America book

seeFALCON page 14

MCC to open special veterans garden Thursday

TRIBUNE NEWS STAFF

Mesa Community College is marking Veterans Day Thursday with the dedication of its new Never Forget Garden, a space within the nationally renowned Rose Garden that honors U.S. service members and the 100th anniversary of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Ceremonies 10-11:30 a.m. at the Southern Avenue and Dobson Road garden location are open to the public. The Never Forget Garden is planted exclusively in white roses. The significance of the white rose dates to 1921 when a bouquet of white roses was placed on the casket of an unknown WWI soldier who was the first placed in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. Unknown soldiers were added in 1958 and 1984.

Partnering with the MCC Veterans Day Planning Committee, the Mesa-East Valley Rose Society led the effort to design and plant the garden with 15 rose bushes that complement the existing white Honor roses and red Veterans Honor roses in the Veterans Garden, on the east end of the MCC Rose Garden.

“Planting white roses is an expression of our profound love, respect and pride in the millions who have served to preserve the United States of America,” said Mike Cryer, volunteer coordinator, captain of the Veterans Garden section of the garden and a member of the MCC Veterans Day Planning Committee. “White roses represent respect, remembrance, honor and admiration.”

Cryer, a Vietnam veteran, pointed out that as a veteran, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier carries an overarching recognition of all the men and women who have served and made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms Americans enjoy today. “It is very significant that the tomb is guarded 24/7 much as these warriors have guarded us over the years.”

Prior to the ribbon cutting, the event opens with the posting of the colors by the United States Army National Guard Honor Guard, followed by the singing of the National Anthem by local vocalist Jocelyn Kleinman. MCC Interim President Dr. Lori Berquam will give the welcome address

Dignitaries providing remarks include Bob Martin, the 56th president of the American Rose Society who initiated national support for Never Forget Gardens across the country; and Matthew Scott, life member of the Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Following remarks, 21 bells will ring in remembrance of the events of 1921 and in a symbolic gesture, white roses will be distributed to attendees. Guided tours of the garden are being provided following the ceremony. ■

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“Your Medicare Store” is a DBA for CPT Insurance, LLC, an independent licensed insurance agency and is not affiliated with the federal government. Calling the number listed will direct you to a licensed insurance agent. For accommodations of persons with special needs call (480) 401-2547, TTY 711 series by Arcadia Publishing, has created a Facebook page where descendants of Royal Air Force pilot cadets can connect: facebook.com/FalconField/ • Members of the Commemorative Air Force Museum at Falcon Field Airport will provide a fly-over during the East Valley Veterans Parade. • The Mesa Chamber of Commerce will host Aviation Fascination at Heliponents, 4930 E. Falcon Dr. at Falcon Field Airport, 5-7:30 p.m. Nov. 12. The free public event will feature a display about Falcon Field history, information booths by aviation businesses and organizations, static aircraft displays, raffle prize drawings, music and food tastings by local restaurants. • The Royal Air Force Cadet Memorial scheduled at 10:45 a.m. Nov. 14 will honor the 23 pilots of the No. 4 British Flying Training School who lost their lives while training from 1941-1945 at Mesa›s Falcon Field. This free public service has been held for more than 30 years at the Mesa Cemetery. The event will also feature remarks by Mesa and British officials, music and a wreath laying at the grave sites.

THE MESA TRIBUNE | NOVEMBER 7, 2021 • The Commemorative Air Force Museum will host its popular themed event A Night in the 40s Big Band Dance 5-10 p.m. Dec. 4 in the museum, 2017 N. Greenfield Road. Many guests wear period uniforms and costumes, and swing dance lessons are included. Specialty food trucks will offer food and beverages for sale. Tickets are available at azcaf.org/event/night-atthe-40s-dance.

Falcon Field was originally to be called Thunderbird Field III by its developers Jack Connelly and Leland Hayward, whose stockholders were some of Hayward’s Hollywood friends, Jimmy Stewart, Cary Grant, Henry Fonda, and Ginger Rogers. They had intended to launch a regional passenger air service, but like so many other plans of the era, the war changed that. England was under almost constant attack by Luftwaffe bombers and fighters in 1941, making it a dangerous place to train RAF pilots. An arrangement was made to train cadets at six U.S. bases, including Falcon Field.

Watch the video produced by Visit Mesa celebrating the No. 4 British Flying Training School: youtube.com/ watch?v=2zZzoXdIEbk ■

CALL FOR CANDIDATES | SRP Elections Set for April 5

Nomination papers and petitions for candidates seeking the positions of President or Vice President or positions on the Boards or Councils of the Salt River Valley Water Users’ Association (the “Association”) and the Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement and Power District (the “District”), collectively SRP, are available by request from the SRP Corporate Secretary. Email election@srpnet.com or call the SRP Elections Information Line at (602) 236-3048. Nomination papers and petitions may be filed beginning Jan. 5, 2022 and must be completed and filed with the SRP Corporate Secretary no later than 5 p.m. on Feb. 4, 2022. The SRP elections are slated for April 5 and will fill 22 positions of the Association, which manages the water operations of SRP, and 24 positions of the District, which oversees the electric operations of SRP. Applications for early voting ballots will be accepted beginning Jan. 2, 2022. Prior to that date, applications to be placed on the Permanent Early Voter List can be submitted and be in effect for the April 5 elections. Early voting ballots will be mailed beginning March 9. Qualified candidates must own qualified land or have been appointed to vote qualified land held in a qualifying trust that is within the respective boundaries of the Association or District and in the voting area they wish to represent as of Dec. 26, 2021; reside within the respective boundaries of the Association or District; and be a qualified, registered Arizona voter. SRP Board members establish policy, approve annual budgets and set prices and fees. SRP Council members amend and enact by-laws and make appointments to fill vacancies on the Boards and Councils.

Positions up for election are as follows: ASSOCIATION: President; Vice President; one position on the Board of Governors in each of voting districts 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10; and three positions on the Council in each of voting districts 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10. All Association positions have four-year terms. DISTRICT: President; Vice President; one position on the Board of Directors in each of voting divisions 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10; two at-large Board of Director positions, voting divisions 12 and 14; and three positions on the Council in each of voting divisions 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10. All District positions have four-year terms. The two at-large Board of Director positions are elected on a one landowner, one vote basis. All other positions are elected on a one-vote-per-acre voting system. For example, an owner of five acres of land has five votes; an owner of one-half acre has half a vote (0.50). Voters in the District election must be qualified, registered Arizona voters. The last day to register to vote is March 7, 2022.

For more information regarding eligibility, job duties, qualifications, election facts and answers to frequently asked questions, potential candidates can visit SRP’s website at srp.net/elections or call the SRP Elections Information Line at (602) 236-3048 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.