McMinnville, Ore.—A 1,500-square-foot American flag with stars as big as serving platters and 50-foot-long stripes, will be unveiled Sat., Feb. 9, where it will be on permanent display along with the HK-1 "Spruce Goose," and 30 other valuable aircraft at the Evergreen Aviation Museum.

The Museum's volunteer corps raised $2,000 for the giant flag as a tribute to the Museum and to Evergreen International Aviation Founder and CEO, Delford M. Smith.

Volunteer Don Van Etten, a former high school and college history teacher, said, "It is because the volunteers love the Museum so much that they wanted to do something special for it. Considering that the Museum honors America's war heroes, we felt that a very large American flag would be the most appropriate way to remind visitors of that fact."

The public is invited to a flag-raising ceremony that begins at 1 p.m. with a musical prelude by the U.S. Army Band. The remainder of the program includes the following:

• Welcome—Museum President Bill Schaub

• Presenting the Colors—Oregon Air National Guard 142nd Fighter Wing Color Guard

• Song—"God Bless America"—U.S. Army Band

• Pledge of Allegiance—Everyone

• Invocation—Father Terry O'Connell, St. James Parish, McMinnville

• Introductions—Bill Schaub (including Museum Board of Trustees, staff, volunteer representatives, Mr. & Mrs. Del Smith, McMinnville Mayor Ed Gormley, Jack Real and Oregon Air National Guard representatives).

• Keynote Speaker—Maj. Gen. Alexander H. Bergin, U.S. Army Adjunct General, State of Oregon

• Introduction of Volunteers—Gary Arnold

• Introduction of Volunteer Flag Committee Chairman—Don Van Etten

• Thank you to the Volunteers—Delford Smith

• Flag Unveiling—Maria Smith and volunteer women

• Song—"Star Spangled Banner," Gina Polimeni

• Closing—Bill Schaub

• Refreshments served to guests and public

Regular visitor admission is required for the flag event (members are always free). The Evergreen Aviation Museum's hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week, every day of the year except Thanksgiving, Christmas day, New Year's Day and Easter. An extensive Museum store and friendly cafe' add to the Museum experience. The Museum is located at 3685 N.E. Three Mile Lane, across the road from Evergreen International Aviation and about five miles southeast of McMinnville, OR., on Highway 18. Call (503) 434-4180 for more information, or visit www.sprucegoose.org

© 2004, The Evergreen Aviation Museum