Commemorative Air Force Logo Becomes Official Texas State Symbol
Austin,TX, September 20, 2023- The Texas State Library and Archives Commission added the Commemorative Air Force logo as a Texas state symbol this month to their digital archive. State symbols have been designated since 1901 when the bluebonnet was chosen as the official flower of Texas by the 27th Legislature. The list now numbers 76 symbols across a wide variety of categories.
The CAF was formally named the official air force of Texas on June 14, 1989, when Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 114, 71st Legislature, was signed into effect by then-Governor William Clements.
The Commemorative Air Force was originally known as the Confederate Air Force. Following a membership vote in 2001, the name of the organization was changed to the Commemorative Air Force, effective on January 1, 2002.
Cover Image: ©Philip Makanna/GHOSTS. CAF Founder Lloyd Nolen taken by CAF Col Phil Makanna
Video of the CAF from September 1971- WFAA Collection, J. William Jones Collection at Southern Methodist University.
Official Resolution
S.C.R. 114
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Confederate Air Force, based at Rebel Field, Harlingen, Texas, has for many years brought great honor and credit on the State of Texas; and
WHEREAS, The Confederate Air Force was organized for patriotic, educational, and civic purposes, including that of acquiring, restoring, and preserving in flying condition a complete collection of combat aircraft which were flown by all military services of the United States and other nations in World War II; and
WHEREAS, Among the other purposes of this great patriotic organization is that of perpetuating in the memory and hearts of all Americans the spirit in which such combat aircraft were flown in the defense of our nation; and
WHEREAS, This organization was first founded in the mid-50s by a group of ex-service pilots in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas when they bought a North American P-51 "Mustang" fighter; since that time the Confederate Air Force has been chartered as a nonprofit corporation by the state and has accumulated, restored to flying condition, and flown for the enjoyment of thousands of persons more than 50 aircraft from the World War II years; and
WHEREAS, The Confederate Air Force is a privately underwritten effort to preserve a little bit of America's history, an era of time which provided the greatest advancement in military aviation technology and an era in time when this nation was united in its effort to maintain freedom and establish peace in the world; and
WHEREAS, The men of the Confederate Air Force are truly Rebels, but only in the sense that they are rebelling against the destruction of the historic aircraft of World War II; and
WHEREAS, While the Confederate Air Force was originally begun and built into an outstanding educational and entertaining organization by men from the Lower Rio Grande Valley, its popularity has become national; due to the increased interest and participation, additional chapters have organized in such places as Galveston and Fort Worth, Texas; Hobbs, New Mexico; and Minneapolis, Minnesota; and
WHEREAS, It is the belief of the Texas Senate and the House of Representatives that the purposes and functions performed by the Confederate Air Force are commendable and are a fine example of the patriotism and support of the United States which all citizens of this great country should have; and
WHEREAS, The Confederate Air Force is an outstanding ambassador of good will and of the pride which all Texans have in our great nation; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, by the 71st Legislature of the State of Texas, That the Confederate Air Force be and is hereby declared to be the official air force of the State of Texas; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be forwarded to the headquarters as an expression of the appreciation and pride in the organization by the Texas Senate and House of Representatives.
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