Naval Aviation Monument - Pensacola, Florida, USA. - Non-Specific Veteran Memorials on Waymarking.com

The Spirit of Naval Aviation - Features five double life-size, bronze sculptures by renowned Oklahoma sculptor Sandra Van Zandt.

The five Naval Aviators dressed in period flying uniforms, represent significant wars: World War I - World War II - Korean War - Vietnam War & Desert Storm

The Aviators stand proudly grouped on display as a tabloid showing the spiritual bond formed by the universal language of all aviators, as a World War II Pilot relives his flight with Naval Aviators from his past & future.

The Spirit of Naval Aviation Monument is located at The National Museum of Naval Aviation, Pensacola, Florida,

Secretary of Defense Sponsors World War II Monument

Donald Rumsfeld, the youngest Secretary of Defense under the Ford Administration and under the Bush Administration, sponsored the World War II Portion of the "Spirit on Naval Aviation Monument" in the name of his father, who was stationed on an aircraft carrier during WWII.

From the Sculptors Website:
"The idea was conceived by Robert R. Macon, Deputy Director of the National Museum of Naval Aviation in early 1993. Capt. Robert L. Rasmussen, USN (Ret) Director of the National Museum of Naval Aviation designed the monument. Renowned Oklahoma sculptor Sandra Van Zandt worked closely with museum and foundation officials to bring Rasmussen's design to life at the Smithsonian's National Air & Space Museum December 6 1994 unveiling in Washington, D.C.

The monument, traditional enough to capture the noble history of Naval Aviation, powerful enough to set a new precedent in detail and craftsmanship and enduring enough to keep the spirit of naval aviation alive for generations to come, salutes naval aviators and naval aviation with five heroic-sized bronze figures that represent five significant stages in history:

World War I * World War II * Korea * Vietnam * Desert Storm * The Modern Era

These five works of art, funded entirely by private donations, are so rich in artistic quality and emotional power that they could have been wrought through this rare combination of creative excellence, historic accuracy and firsthand experience. The monument will be dedicated at the National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola, Florida, May 1996 and will serve as the centerpiece of the museum's new building. The National Museum of Naval Aviation is dedicated to preserving the history, honor, tradition and service for Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard Aviation.
"
Text Sources: (visit link) & (visit link)

Entry to the Museum is free.

Location: Naval Aviation Memorial Theatre - NMNA - Pensacola.

Type of Memorial: Multi-War Memorial Wars mentioned (Multi-war only): World War I - World War II - Korean War - Vietnam War & Desert Storm In Honor Of: Naval Aviators Marker Text: World War I * World War II * Korea * Vietnam * Desert Storm * The universal language of all aviators, as a World War II Pilot relives his flight with Naval Aviators from his past & future. The Spirit of Naval Aviation. Date of dedication: May 1996 Who Put it Here?: National Museum of Naval Aviation Description of Memorial: he idea was conceived by Robert R. Macon, Deputy Director of the National Museum of Naval Aviation in early 1993. Capt. Robert L. Rasmussen, USN (Ret) Director of the National Museum of Naval Aviation designed the monument. Renowned Oklahoma sculptor Sandra Van Zandt worked closely with museum and foundation officials to bring Rasmussen's design to life at the Smithsonian's National Air & Space Museum December 6 1994 unveiling in Washington, D.C.

Visit Instructions:
Visited Logs must contain, at least, a picture of the monument and your GPSr. Preferably YOU at the monument with your GPSr, but we understand that some people are camera-shy.
It is suggested you please include something about your visit here, as well.

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