Behind the scenes, I have been working with the Voland family, David Hedgecock, Ron Wojnar, and the Glenn Curtiss Museum to get the Hall of Fame plate created and mounted at the Museum. I purchased a duplicate plate and had it presented to Don’s family to go along with the plaque that I previously had David and Ron give them. I am attaching a photo taken at that presentation. From left to right, they are Don’s two sons, his widow Jeanette, and David Hedgecock.
In the last couple of days, David, the current VP of the Wing told me they decided to close down their Wing. They have funds in the bank (amount not yet discussed), and the working OX-5 engine that they show annually at Oshkosh. He said they want to keep the OX-5 in Wisconsin and have a local aviation museum in mind to which they wish to donate the engine. He is looking to me for guidance on how they might distribute the funds and what might be needed to transfer the engine. While I know we would be able to give the engine a good home, I believe Don also would have wanted it to remain in Wisconsin. Regarding the funds, I will ask David to forward them to Patty to be set aside for an appropriate cause, such as the new education center at the Waco Museum in Ohio.
Please share any ideas you might have regarding these developments.
Finally, I am sending an email to the membership regarding the 2026 National Gathering to be held at the Beechcraft Heritage Museum in Tullahoma, TN on August 28th and 29th. I have finalized details with museum management and will be securing a block of rooms at a local Holiday Inn Express. I am asking for non-binding acknowledgements from members to gauge the number of attendees. Please watch for the email soon.
Best Regards,
Greg 11-4-2025
