Lone Star museum gala takes flight
A P-47 Thunderbolt and a T-6 Texan vintage aircraft provided the backdrop for the Lone Star Flight Museum’s “Taking Flight” gala at the museum’s new space at Ellington Airport.
Museum board of directors and gala co-chairs Lisa and Jerry Simon and
Cathy and Joe Cleary welcomed 900plus guests to the black-tie and military mess dress gala celebrating the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame’s four inductees.
The event brought in more than $1.1 million, which will benefit the $38 million aviation history and STEM museum, which opens to the public Labor Day weekend.
John Nau, chairman of the Texas Historical Commission and CEO of Silver Eagle Distributors, conducted the induction ceremony for new hall-of-famers President George W. Bush, who provided a video greeting; Maj. Gen.
Benjamin D. Foulois (1879-1967); Albert W. “Al” Mooney (1906-86); and the 111th Aero Squadron.
Marshall Cloyd received a lifetime achievement award.
The presentation of colors by five branches of the U.S. armed forces; the “Star-Spangled Banner” sung by
Nicholas Conners; and a “Salute to the Armed Forces” medley by the Sanctuary Choir of Clear Lake United Methodist Church set this gala apart.
Spotted in the crowd: Emily and Bud Arnot, Terri Lacy and Jimmy Baird, John and Susan Barksdale; Leslie
and Jack Blanton, Pierce Bush, David Dewhurst, Dr. Bonnie Dunbar, Tyson and Tena Faust, Cora Sue and Harry Mach, Pete and Nancy Olson, Stephanie and Dr. Rod Paige,
and Dominique Sachse and Nick Florescu.