New 1st Fighter Wing Memorial Dedicated
"Mac" MacAllister stands next to the new memorial
On November 15, 2018, members of the 1st Fighter Wing and the 1st Fighter Association dedicated the new 1st Fighter Wing Memorial in Dayton, Ohio at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Due to inclement weather, the Memorial ceremony was held in the AF Museum’s auditorium. Col Jason Hinds, 1FW/CC and CMSgt Johnny Harris, 1FW Command Chief represented the Wing's Airmen. 1st Fighter Association representatives included: Rich Shook, current President; Pete Marty, President Emeritus; Bob Baltzar, Project Lead and his wife Becki; Randy Dodge and his wife Elizabeth; and JJ Winters. Our special "Guest of Honor" was WWII veteran and 1st Fighter Association Founding Member Mr. P.E. “Mac” MacAllister. Mac turned 100 years young on 30 August 2018. Mr. Jim Blackman represented the AF Museum staff and accepted the 1FW Memorial on behalf of the Museum Director. Also in attendance was Mr. Larry Morrison from Dodds Memorials. He and his team designed, etched and installed our beautiful black marble and granite memorial.
After the ceremony concluded, we visited the P-38 Lightning to further honor Mac since he served as a P-38 mechanic in North Africa during WWII. We then walked to the F-22 display for pictures with Mac and the 1FW leadership, Col Hinds and Chief Harris. Finally, we all grabbed our umbrellas and went to the actual memorial site for pictures with Mac and the team before departing for lunch/home.
Overall, we celebrated the dedication and presentation of our new memorial while also honoring Mac MacAllister for his years of service and leadership plus his generous donations to the 1st Fighter Association as one if it’s Founding Members. Thank you Mac!! And a big “Thanks!" to the nearly 40 members who donated to our Heritage Endowment Fund for the new Memorial. It’s an awesome tribute to the 1FW’s long, heralded heritage and legacy. I hope you all can swing by the AF Museum’s Memorial Park someday and see our memorial first-hand—I know you’ll be very proud of it.
After the ceremony concluded, we visited the P-38 Lightning to further honor Mac since he served as a P-38 mechanic in North Africa during WWII. We then walked to the F-22 display for pictures with Mac and the 1FW leadership, Col Hinds and Chief Harris. Finally, we all grabbed our umbrellas and went to the actual memorial site for pictures with Mac and the team before departing for lunch/home.
Overall, we celebrated the dedication and presentation of our new memorial while also honoring Mac MacAllister for his years of service and leadership plus his generous donations to the 1st Fighter Association as one if it’s Founding Members. Thank you Mac!! And a big “Thanks!" to the nearly 40 members who donated to our Heritage Endowment Fund for the new Memorial. It’s an awesome tribute to the 1FW’s long, heralded heritage and legacy. I hope you all can swing by the AF Museum’s Memorial Park someday and see our memorial first-hand—I know you’ll be very proud of it.
