The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) is proud to announce the establishment of the CAF Member Hall of Fame.
For over 50 years, the CAF has grown through the efforts of tens of thousands of members. A few have made a monumental impact towards the success and worldwide recognition that the CAF enjoys today. In 2010, the CAF will begin the process of recognizing the men and women who have dedicated themselves to Honoring American Military Aviation by working to secure the future of the organization.
“We want to recognize those individuals responsible for setting the course that the Commemorative Air Force has taken,” said CAF President Stephan Brown. “The CAF has grown over the years from a small band of pilots to a group of over 8,500 members from all walks of life. While we still have a great number of pilots in our ranks, the CAF now encompasses people of all different passions and interests.”
The CAF will be honoring Hall of Fame inductees each year at its annual Wing Staff Conference usually held in March. In 2010, the ceremony will be held Sat. March 19, at the Hilton Midland Plaza in Midland, Texas. The event will be a semi-formal affair (black-tie optional) recognizing the individuals who have given so much to the organization.
Each year the CAF will be taking a step back to honor two members posthumously and also look within the current ranks to honor two living members who continue to support the organization. These individuals will be nominated by active Colonels and ultimately selected by a Hall of Fame Committee consisting of current General Staff Members, former Chiefs of Staff and members of the Hall of Fame.
As an exception, in the 2010 inaugural year the CAF will be honoring six individuals who exemplify the mission of the organization. The 2010 inductees are CAF Colonels Lloyd P. Nolen (posthumous), Marvin L. “Lefty” Gardner (posthumous), Victor N. “Vic” Agather (posthumous), Ollie R. Crawford, Van Skiles and Bill Godwin. Each of these six men have been critical to the success of the Commemorative Air Force.
Hall of Fame candidates must be current Colonels/Life members with continuous membership for a minimum of 20 years. The inductees must have been proven to be dedicated to the CAF through their significant contributions to the CAF’s mission, growth and continued strength. These individuals may have served the CAF as a paid staff, General Staff, unit officer, unit member or member-at-large.
Nominations should be submitted by an active CAF Colonel in the form of a nomination packet that includes evidence and testimony on how s/he has impacted the CAF to the level worthy of inclusion in the Hall of Fame. Nominations must be received by the President of the CAF no later than May 30 of each year. Packets will then be distributed to the committee for consideration. Inductees will be announced each year at the Annual CAF Membership Meeting at AIRSHO in Midland, Texas.