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EARLY BIRD PLAQUE DEDICATED HONORING GENERAL FRANK PURDY LAHM

A representative group of Early Birds participated in the General Frank Lahm Memorial Ceremonies at Mansfield, Ohio, Saturday, September 9th, - especially for the dedicated of the Early Bird Plaque.

The largest of the standardized Early Bird Plaques was mounted in a good location on the left hand wall of the main lobby of the General Lahm Building, just inside the main entrance, and includes approximately 15 inscriptions, covering outstanding events in General Lahm's military career from 1901 to 1963, the major portion of which was in the aviation Services as we all know.

Early Birds in attendance at the dedication were, Wm. A. Dennehie, Wm. C. Diehl, Paul E. Barber, Earnest C. Hall, Gen. Thomas J. Hanley, E. M. Matty Laird, Glenn E. Messer, George A. Page, Jr., Claude W. Pound, Gen. Martin F. Scanlon, George H. Scragg, Stanley H. Vaughn and Gen. Errol H. Zistel. - (Glenn Messer and guest Roy Bridges flew in from Birmingham, in Glenn's personal plane.)

The master pattern was furnished by Waldo Waterman's Plaque Committee and Stanley Vaughn as local Ohio Chairman handled the details of ordering the casting and having the proper inscriptions added. Upon delivery of the finished casting, Stanley Vaughn mounted it on a 26" x 30" American Walnut panel, furnished by E. B. Errol Zistel. Stanley said, "Even with my sweating blood to get this Plaque to Mansfield, I found we were the first ones to have our job complete and in place."

A special vote of thanks to all for the job well done, and last, but not least, a vote of thanks to Bill Dannehie who did a lot of initial spadework on this Lahm project back in 1964, when he started work on a pattern for a similar plaque, and also served on the local committee with Stanley Vaughn.

[[image - black & white photograph of a group of Early Birds standing together during the dedication of the Lahm Plaque]]
[[caption]] Early Birds at dedication of Lahm Plaque. Left to right - E. M. Laird, George Page Jr., Earnest Hall, Stanley Vaughn, Willian Denehie, Paul Garden, Gen. Errol Zistel, William Diehl, Gen. Martin Scanlon, Glenn Messer, George Scragg and Claude Pound. Gen. Thomas Hanley, who attended was not on hand for the photo.[[/caption]]
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The overall Lahm Ceremonies sponsored by the Lahm Memorial Council, Ohio Air National Guard, and the City of Mansfield, Ohio, was quite an elaborate affair. Other ceremonies included the renaming of the Airport to Mansfield-Lahm Municipal Airport. Early Bird Paul E. Garber, on special invitation, as representative of the Air and Space National Museum of the Smithsonian, gave an excellent memorial address honoring General Lahm. A little later a Documentary Film, "The Lahm Story", narrated by Brig. Gen. James Stewart was shown and was very interesting. This service took place in the Auditorium of the new Lahm Building, and the Singing Sergeants opened the ceremonies by singing "Old Hundredth" and closed with "The Lord's Prayer". All together a very impressive Memorial Service.

Following this service, - the bronze bust of Gen. Lahm, located at the entrance to the Lahm Building (outside) was dedicated by Major Gen. N. R. Harold, U.S.A.F. (ret) who is National Commander of the Deadlions, an organization of military pilots who received their licenses to Armistice Day, 1918, donors of the bust. Immediately following this, the assembled guests moved inside, out of the rain, for the dedication and unveiling of the Early Bird Plaque.

Your President made a few brief remarks in honor of General Lahm, in turning over custody of the mounted plaque to Lt. Col. Emerson E. Lewis, Commander 179th Tactical Fighter Group OANG.

Following these ceremonies, luncheon was served to all assembled guests in the cafeteria of the new Lahm Building.

The Air Force Thunderbirds and the assembled Air National Guard units were scheduled to cap the climax with an Aerial Salute. However, this had to postponed because of rain and low visibility, until Sunday at 11:15 A.M. This was an exciting and thrilling exhibition of Aerial maneuvers.

The Saturday program was concluded with a Reception and Dinner at the Mansfield-Leland Hotel, followed by a Military Ball back at the OANG hanger at the Airport.
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LAHM EARLY BIRD PLAQUE DEDICATION READING BY PRESIDENT E. M. LAIRD

Honorable Mayor and distinguished guests: 

We, of the Early Birds of Aviation assembled here to do honor to our distinguished member, the late General Frank Purdy Lahm, hereby present this Early Bird Plaque on which is inscribed many of the General's accomplishments and contributions to Aviation.

What we say here may not long be remembered, but the list of his accomplishments, in military service, will live on in history forever.

With this Plaque so prominently placed, the generations to come who have the opportunity to view it, will be informed and reminded of General Lahm's contributions to military aviation, and so Colonel Lewis, I now turn this plaque over to you for your custody.

Plaque was then unveiled by Lt. Col. Emerson E. Lewis, OANG

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Minutes of Meeting

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Joseph Frantz, a citizen of Paris, France. Moved by David H. Young, seconded by Martin F. Scanlon that the Secretary's Report be approved. Carried.

Plaque Committee Report for the fiscal year 1967 given in detail by Chairman Waldo D. Waterman, in which he stated that the 50-year bronze plaque program had been terminated, but that any Early Bird members no having received one and wishing to purchase one, should contact him for full information as to the procedure to fllow in obtaining one. Moved by Stanley Hiller, seconded by George H. Page that Plaque Committee Report by approved. Carried.

Secretary Elmo N. Pickerill discussed the numerous requests received by him, soliciting the Early Birds to hold Conventions at various hotels, motels and clubs all over the country each year. This discussion for the information of all Early Birds present.

A general discussion ensued as to the limitation of non-member guests to be invited to future Early Bird Reunions. This discussion was indulged in by Stanley Hiller, Forrest E. Wysong, Glenn E. Messer, Waldo D. Waterman and other members. It was the consensus that the number of invitations to the widows of deceased members, and to the members of Early Bird families would not exceed the number of members present at Early Bird Reunions hereafter. It was agreed that only good judgment on the part of members could bring the desired result about.

The Ballot Committee consisting of Early Birds Errol H. Zistel, acting as Chairman, and Stanley I. Vaughn and George H. Page announced the following results of officers elected for the calendar year 1968: Stanley Hiller, President; Paul E. Garner, First Vice President; Harry D. Copland, Second Vice President; Anthony Stadlman, Third Vice President; Elmo N. Pickerill, Secretary; Carl T. Batts, Treasurer; and Glenn E. Messer, Trustee for five years, thru 1972.

General discussion as to site of the 1968 Early Bird Reunion site, majority seemed to favor San Francisco which was recommended by Ivan P. Wheaton. Reunion to be decided by a Committee later.

Adjournment of 1967 Reunion followed. Unanimously approved.

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