Lyon Air Museum, a Southern California showcase for vintage military aircraft and automobiles, will open its doors free of charge to any and all “first responders” (including fire, police, emergency medical personnel, 911 operators and emergency dispatchers), on Sunday, Sept. 11, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of terrorist attacks on the United States.
Among the 2,753 persons who died in the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City were 343 firefighters and 60 police officers from the city and the Port Authority, along with eight private emergency medical technicians and paramedics.
“It is in honor of these heroic ‘first responders’ that Lyon Air Museum seeks to recognize the men and women who are the first to arrive on the scene of any emergency or disaster,” said Mark Foster, president of the museum. “These folks put their lives on the line every day, making personal sacrifices to help other people in need, and the museum is proud to get the opportunity to recognize — on this special anniversary in particular — their contributions to making a better society.”
The 30,000-square-foot Lyon Air Museum opened in December 2009. The facility represents the fulfillment of a dream of Maj. Gen. William Lyon, USAF (Ret), who held the position of Chief of the U.S. Air Force Reserve from 1975 to 1979. Currently, Gen. Lyon is Chairman of the Board and CEO of William Lyon Homes, Inc., Newport Beach, Calif. His passion for aviation history and youth education is the driving force behind Lyon Air Museum. In establishing the museum, Gen. Lyon sought to create a world-class facility that would be available to the local community and would offer educational exhibits designed to inspire young people. The museum has on exhibit some of the world’s rarest operational aircraft and vehicles, according to officials.
For more information: LyonAirMuseum.org
