On this President’s Day, what better place to spend time than the presidential gallery at the museum, which houses planes that carried presidents. Veterans who served, many in the planes on display, were at the museum to talk about the planes, their historical significance and their own experiences.
Danny Bowen spent 20 years in the Air Force as a crew chief, working on presidential aircraft from 1981 to 1994.
“It’s an honor to be able to work on that aircraft,” he said. “It is special, especially since I got to work on the aircraft that carried the president of the United States.”
>> Learn more about ‘Air Force One’ during President’s Day Plane Talks
Mike Binder came to the museum with his two sons, 5-year-old Gibson and 3-year-old Ellis.
“We live nearby and I try to come as much as I can. I had the day off work and I thought this would be a great place to come spend the day,” Binder said.
From the first aircraft designed specifically to fly the president to the SAM 26000 that carried eight sitting presidents, there’s a lot to see.
A day Bowen wouldn’t miss.
“I actually live in the Indianapolis area so I drove over and I volunteer once a month. I try to do President’s Day because it’s a special day, and with the airplanes transporting the president, it’s a special deal,” he said.
Plane Talks are often held on the anniversary of a significant Air Force or military events. Following are a list of upcoming events:
- March 28 – In observance of National Vietnam War Veterans Day
- May 16 – Armed Forces Day
- Sept. 18 – 73rd anniversary of the Air Force and POW/MIA Recognition Day
- Nov. 11 – Veterans Day
- Dec. 7 – Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
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