The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) has established the CAF Member Hall of Fame.
“We want to recognize those individuals responsible for setting the course that the Commemorative Air Force has taken,” said CAF President Stephan Brown. “The CAF has grown over the years from a small band of pilots to a group of over 8,500 members from all walks of life. While we still have a great number of pilots in our ranks, the CAF now encompasses people of all different passions and interests.”
The CAF will be honoring Hall of Fame inductees each year at its annual Wing Staff Conference, usually held in March. In 2010, the ceremony will be held March 19 at the Hilton Midland Plaza in Midland, Texas.
Each year the CAF will be taking a step back to honor two members posthumously and also look within the current ranks to honor two living members who continue to support the organization. These individuals will be nominated by active Colonels (full-members in the CAF) and ultimately selected by a Hall of Fame Committee consisting of current General Staff (board) Members, former Chiefs of Staff and members of the Hall of Fame.
As an exception, in the 2010 inaugural year the CAF will be honoring six individuals who exemplify the mission of the organization. The 2010 inductees are CAF Colonels Lloyd Nolen (posthumous), Marvin “Lefty” Gardner (posthumous), Victor Agather (posthumous), Ollie Crawford, Van Skiles and Bill Godwin.
Hall of Fame candidates must be current Colonels or Life members with continuous membership for a minimum of 20 years. The inductees must have been proven to be dedicated to the CAF through their significant contributions to the CAF’s mission, growth and continued strength. These individuals may have served the CAF as a paid staff, General Staff, unit officer, unit member or member-at-large.
Nominations should be submitted by an active CAF Colonel in the form of a nomination packet that includes evidence and testimony on how the person has impacted the CAF to the level worthy of inclusion in the Hall of Fame. Nominations must be received by the president no later than May 30 of each year. Packets will then be distributed to the committee for consideration. Inductees will be announced each year at the Annual CAF Membership Meeting at AIRSHO in Midland, Texas.
For more information: CommemorativeAirForce.org or 432-563-1000.
