On Saturday, October
20, 2018, the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame (WAHF) held its 33rd
Annual Induction Ceremony in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Approximately 250
individuals filled the Founder's Wing of the AirVenture Museum to
witness the induction presentations and celebrate scholarship recipients.
The four inductees were Joshua Sanford, Janis Sierra, Donald Winkler,
and Jerome LeBerron. The three scholarship recipients were Emily
Bennett at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Aaron Wahlgren
at Gateway Technical College, and Isaac Lee at Fox Valley Technical
College.
WAHF launched the Carl
Guell Memorial Scholarship program in 2002 for students enrolled
in aviation/aerospace programs in a technical college or college/university.
Scholarship information and applications can be found online at
the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin website (www.cfoncw.org),
and the next application deadline is March 1, 2019. After the scholarship
recipients' recognition, the evening turned to the presentation
of the inductees.
WAHF President Tom Thomas
welcomed everyone and said about the inductees, "They have served
their community, state, and country with honor and perseverance
throughout their aviation careers. Tonight they join a distinguished
list of past inductees. I congratulate each of you and thank you
all for all you have done to advance aviation throughout Wisconsin
and throughout the world."
WAHF Member John Dorcey
presented Joshua Decorah Sanford by saying, "Joshua Decorah Sanford
is a member of what we would call today 'The Greatest Generation.'"
Dorcey went on to speak of Sanford's background, military service,
and flying with the famed Flying Tigers. Dorcey read a story from
one of Joshua Sanford's wingmen, Ed "Smokey" Bollen while displaying
photos of Joshua Decorah Sanford. He mentioned Sanford's marriage
to Rosemary Bertz and their two children, Maureen and C. William.
Maureen Sanford accepted
the plaque on behalf of the Sanford family. She greeting the crowd
and named family members in attendance, "What a great evening. My
name is Maureen and I'm here tonight with my family, my brother
Bill Sanford, his wife Linda, their son Joshua, his wife Mandy,
and their sons Braydon and Braxton, my daughter Heather Bruin, and
my cousins Bill Kirkwood, Lawrence Kirkwood, Kent Kirkwood, Harold
Kirkwood, and their families. We'd like to take this time to thank
you for inducting our father, Joshua Decorah Sanford into the Aviation
Hall of Fame.
"We'd like to share with
you the story of our father, grandfather, and uncle. The story of
a man, an aviator from our beloved state of Wisconsin, who ultimately
gave his life for his country. He died at a very young age when
we were very young. Throughout my life, I often wished I'd known
this man better, but I was inspired forever by his deeds, his lessons,
and his words.
"He did not learn the
language of English until the age of 7. Yet, without prejudices,
he considered himself an American. He taught us tolerance, moreover
respect for diverse religions, cultures, peoples, languages, everything
on this planet. I have to admit that he spun tales of all those
differences he experienced during his life and especially during
his war travels. My insatiable wanderlust was born from these.
"As a child, I tagged
along when he repaired radios and TVs for hardworking farmers and
others. Some of whom were unable to pay him in currency. He simply,
graciously accepted whatever they were able to offer. And from this,
I learned the lessons of hard work, respect, and charity.
"Sometimes at night,
quite often, I would hear the static crackle coming from his Ham
Radio as he transmitted across our country and worldwide with the
handle W9TLP. He shared this hobby that he loved so much, with Wisconsin
youth from Hillsboro and Reedsburg, mentoring them in the etiquette
and the rules, and really, the ultimate fun of that interest.
"He often spoke of the
courage, the resolve, and the perseverance that he's faced in the
unbelievable odds. He did this as the leader of numerous boy scout
troops, as Director of Civil Defense for 11 Wisconsin Counties,
as Manager of Wisconsin Reedsburg Airport, as a leader, and as an
elder in the Wisconsin Winnebago Tribe, moreover, as our father.
"I asked my father, 'Why
don't we have a gun or some weapons in the house? You know, war
memorials, memorabilia?'
"He grew distant, and he answered softly and sadly, 'I'm through
killing. It is time to heal.' From this, I learned the lessons of
love of country, open-mindedness, and forgiveness.
"My brother and I were
recipients of the Flying Tigers Scholarship for four years of college,
each. We were thrilled to attend their annual conventions. We loved
to hear the countless war anecdotes that somehow changed a little
bit as the hours got later and a little embellishment seemed appropriate.
We were wide-eyed to meet celebrities such as Anna Chenault, who
is the widow of Claire Chenault. We met radio commentator Arthur
Godfrey, movie actor Keenan Wynn, and others. They are all gone
now but what a great group of humble, everyday heroes, who are called
to serve and gave so much to and for our country.
"My father always considered
Wisconsin home. One of his favorite sonnets was High Flight penned
by John Gillespie Magee Jr. He reached out and touched the face
of God and was laid to rest in Hillsboro's Mount Vernon Cemetery
on October 21, 1962, result of war injuries.
"On May 30, 1993, the
Hillsboro Airport was dedicated to him. Thank you, Dick and Doris
Sweeney. Thank you, Henry and Sandy Peterson. There is an exhibit
featuring Josh Sanford, the Chief, in the Hillsboro Public Museum
that's on display.
"I hope tonight you learned
of a man who loved our way of life, our great state of Wisconsin,
and a great country United States of America, the way a patriot
should and could. I would like to thank President Tom Thomas and
the board members for this distinguished privilege bestowed upon
our father, our grandfather, and our uncle, who is now a member
of the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame. What great evening."
The evening continued
with the remaining three inductee presentations. WAHF Member Kurt
Stanich presented Janis Sierra, WAHF Member James Zuelsdorm presented
Donald Winkler, and WAHF Member Ron Wojnar presented Jerome LeBarron.
President Tom Thomas provided closing remarks, and WAHF Member Charles
Swain bestowed the benediction.
WAHF is a "membership
organization dedicated to collecting, preserving, and sharing Wisconsin
aviation news and history" (www.wisconsinaviationhalloffame.org,
23 Oct. 2018). The Hall of Fame is located outside the Goldwater
Conference Room on the lower level of the EAA AirVenture Museum.
Current year inductees, like Joshua Sanford, are located in the
Kohler Plaza in the museum's foyer.
Wisconsin
Aviation Hall of Fame (WAHF)
You've found the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame (WAHF), a membership
organization dedicated to collecting, preserving, and sharing Wisconsin
aviation news and history. Spend a few minutes perusing our site
to learn more about the men and women who are making aviation history
in Wisconsin and beyond our borders.
http://www.wisconsinaviationhalloffame.org
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