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Memorial wall has unique way of honoring veterans

Just in time for Memorial Day, the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton is dedicating a wall of honor recognizing veterans and others who serve and have served our country.

The Legacy Data Plate Wall of Honor memorializes veterans and others with a military connection. Each memorial plaque is designed to resemble data plates on military aircraft but instead of model and serial numbers, there are loving remembrances.

Mona Vollmer, Col, USAFR is Chief Development Officer with the Air Force Museum Foundation. Her family created a plate honoring a former flight instructor named Thomas Crull.

"He was a military member, retired, had some really amazing stories of his flying career but absolutely was the finest aviator, finest instructor, mentor to me for a short period of time but mostly for my husband," she says. "So that's what his data plate says, that he's 'An Airman, an aviator, a hero.' And that's what he was."

Credit Provided
A sample data plate.

Each of the 475 data plates are 4” x 8” aviation-grade stainless steel.

Vollmer says people came from around the country to view their plates and tuck flowers into the wall during Thursday's official unveiling.

She says the foundation will continue to update the wall.
 

Senior Editor and reporter at WVXU with more than 20 years experience in public radio; formerly news and public affairs producer with WMUB. Would really like to meet your dog.