October 25, 2018

Press Release

The Air Force Association Unveils the Doolittle Legacy Wall

ARLINGTON, Va. – On October 25, the Air Force Association (AFA) hosted the Doolittle Legacy Wall Unveiling Ceremony. More than 75 AFA members and supporters attended, including Under Secretary of the Air Force Matthew Donovan, the last surviving member of the Doolittle Raiders Lieutenant Colonel Dick Cole, USAF (Ret.), and Jonna Doolittle Hoppes, granddaughter of AFA’s first president, General Jimmy Doolittle.

The inaugural Doolittle Legacy Wall contains more than 650 bricks honoring the service of U.S. Airmen around the world. AFA members, leaders, chapters, and corporate partners from across the country memorialized their service or the service of loved ones through the engraved bricks now permanently affixed to AFA’s Jimmy Doolittle Headquarters Building.

“AFA’s Doolittle Building brick campaign has been a great team effort,” said General Larry Spencer, USAF (Ret.) “This wall represents the 72 years of service that the Air Force Association has served as the ‘Force Behind the Force’ and the organization that connects ‘Airmen for Life.’”

Lieutenant Colonel Cole presented AFA with a signed copy of the Doolittle Raiders Congressional Gold Medal and a painting of a B-29 flying over Tokyo Bay. Under Secretary Donovan discussed General Doolittle and General Billy Mitchell’s contributions to airpower and Jonna Doolittle Hoppes spoke about her grandfather’s legacy to the Air Force and AFA.

The Doolittle Legacy Wall raised more than $120,000. As part of AFA’s capital campaign, these sustaining donations of Airmen and AFA supporters will help AFA continue to be the leading advocate for Airmen as we promote a dominant United States Air Force and support the total Air Force family.

The Air Force Association is a non-profit, independent, professional military and aerospace education association. Our mission is to promote a dominant United States Air Force and a strong national defense, and to honor Airmen and our Air Force heritage.

Media Contact:
Kianna Gousby
Coordinator, Communications
Air Force Association
kgousby@afa.org
703-247-5847