WWII Aircraft will Perform a Memorial Day Honor Flight over Little Rock National Cemetery
(LITTLE ROCK, May 21, 2020) – The Commemorative Air Force’s (CAF) Razorback Wing, based in Little Rock, Arkansas will fly a Ryan PT-22 Recruit, World War II trainer aircraft on Memorial Day. The World War II aircraft, known as Miss Cherie, will conduct a flight over Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery to honor and mourn the military personnel who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
“We are grateful to be asked to participate in this year’s memorial service,” said Mike Tooley, Public Information Officer of the CAF Razorback Wing. “We fly these aircraft because we believe they exemplify the hard work and sacrifice of the Greatest Generation – men and women who answered the call of duty when freedom was threatened. We are dedicated to passing along their story to future generations so that their legacy and service will not be forgotten.” Additional information about the flight can be found on the CAF Razorback Wing’s Facebook page.
Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson is set to speak at the State’s live-streamed Memorial Day event scheduled for Monday, May 25 at 10 a.m. at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery at North Little Rock. The event is closed to the public. The public can view the Facebook live-steam by going to Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery North Little Rock Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ASVCNLR/.
About the CAF’s PT-22 Miss Cherie:
The PT-22 was developed in 1941 from the civilian Ryan ST series. The PT-22 was the United States Army Air Corps' first purpose-built monoplane trainer. The rapid expansion of wartime aircrew training required new trainers, and the Ryan PT-22 was ordered in large numbers. Named the "Recruit", it entered operational service with the U.S. Army and Navy. The PT series was in heavy use throughout the war years with both military and civil schools, but with the end of the war, was retired from the USAAF.
About the Commemorative Air Force: The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Dallas, and the world’s largest flying military aircraft museum with more than 175 vintage military aircraft and 11,000 members across the United States. For more than 60 years, the CAF has been dedicated to honoring American military aviation through flight, exhibition, education and remembrance. The non-profit organization maintains airplanes in flying condition, allowing the public to experience first-hand the sights and sounds of America’s military aviation history. For more information, visit www.commemorativeairforce.org
