From left to right, Air Force Association Chairman of the Board Robert E. “Bob” Largent; Air Force Memorial Foundation Chairman Ross Perot, Jr.; and William A. Davidson, Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Air Force; sign an agreement for AFA to provide daily support to Air Force Memorial operations.

Arlington, VA, April 13, 2007 – Today, the Air Force Association agreed to provide a daily presence at the Air Force Memorial and to support Memorial operations and activities in an agreement with the United States Air Force. AFA National Officers and Board of Directors will become the governing body of the Air Force Memorial Foundation.

The signing took place during the Air Force Memorial Foundation (AFMF) Board of Trustees meeting held at the Air Force Association national headquarters building.

In attendance to take part in the Signing were Air Force Memorial Foundation Chairman Ross Perot, Jr.; William A. Davidson, Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Air Force; and Air Force Association Chairman Robert E. “Bob” Largent. Air Force Association President Donald L. Peterson was also a signatory.

“The Air Force Memorial honors the heroic and selfless contributions of the men and women of the United States Air Force—those currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, around the world and those former Airmen who distinguished themselves in the Air Force and its heritage organizations,” said Bob Largent. “This is truly a significant and historical event.”

President George W. Bush accepted the Air Force Memorial in a dedication ceremony in October saying, "Soldiers can walk the grounds where they fought for freedom, and Marines can wander down the beaches they stormed, but airmen can never visit the spacious skies they raced across in the defense of our freedom. But now, they can come here."

After 15 years of extensive effort by key Air Force Association leaders and members and a very dedicated board of Air Force Memorial Foundation volunteer trustees, the Memorial—adjacent to Arlington National Cemetery, on a significant promontory overlooking the Pentagon and providing an unobstructed view of Washington, DC—is open to the public daily.

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Contact: Chet Curtis, Director of Policy and Communications
(703) 247-5850, e-mail: ccurtis@afa.org

The Air Force Association (AFA) is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization promoting public understanding of aerospace power and the pivotal role it plays in the security of the nation. AFA disseminates information through AIR FORCE MAGAZINE, AIR FORCE MAGAZINE ONLINE, the EAKER INSTITUTE, public outreach and national conferences and symposia. Learn more about AFA by visiting us on the web at www.AFA.org.

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