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THE DAYTON DAILY NEWS
Sunday, September 5, 1954
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MAYOR STOUT (LEFT) GETS EARLY BIRD AUTOGRAPHS
Pioneers Blanche Scott and General Lahm on Hand for Reunion

Early Birds, Meeting In Dayton, Receive Salute From President

President Eisenhower saluted the Early Birds, pioneer flying organization, by letter at the group's annual reunion last night at the Miami hotel.

The Eisenhower message was read to the Early Birds and their friends by George H. Scragg of Cleveland, organization treasurer.

The letter stated:
"On the occasion of this annual meeting of the Early Birds I wish to express my hearty respect and admiration for the outstanding contributions which members of your organization have made to the advancement of aviation.

"You are the poineers of flight, of air transportation, and of the air power that has become a strong shield of our nation.  I salute your vision and your great faith in air power and the future of our country."

Some 35 actual Early Birds--those who flew prior to Dec. 17, 1916--were present.

Included in the group were retired Brig. Gen. F. P. Lahm of Huron, O., one of the first of two Army pilots and Blanche Stuart Scott, first woman aviator.

Mayor Henry S. Stout welcomed the group to Dayton and related incidents from the lives of the city's own Orville and Wilbur Wright.

The group will hold its annual business meeting and election of officers prior to attending today's performance of the National Aircraft show.

Gen. Lahm, who was taught to fly in October, 1909, by Wilbur Wright, said aviation "must never say can't," noting that today's progress would have been thought "inconceivable" 50 years ago.

Miss Scott, who learned her flying from Glen Curtiss, was asked for comment on the opening performance of the aircraft show.

She replied, "It's unbelievable.  It just didn't happen.  It just couldn't.  I don't think people realize how the aviation industry has grown."

She recalled that when she first soloed on Sept. 6, 1910, the cockpit was called the undertaker's seat and the advice was, "Goodbye, God bless you and keep you."

Veteran Says Flying Ways Too Fast Now

Lt. John Macready, a man who was setting world altitude records in the early days of flight, wrote a letter this week to an