The Arsenal of Democracy commemoration surrounding the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II joined the litany of events that have been delayed or canceled in recent weeks in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
In the works over the past few years with the backing of the likes of the Bob Hope Legacy and Bob and Elizabeth Dole, along with numerous aviation industry groups such as the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, the celebration events have been pushed back to the week of September 20.
Initially, an Arsenal of Democracy Flyover was to be held May 8 in remembrance of the end of the war in Europe (Victory in Europe or VE day), with events on September 2 in Washington, D.C., and Oahu, Hawaii, in remembrance of the end of the war in the Pacific. The flyover is scheduled to comprise more than 100 vintage warbirds of various types flying over the National Mall in 24 separate, historically sequenced formations.
The aerial tribute will now take place on September 25, and the week’s activities will include a Victory Gala on September 24, culminating with the annual National Aviation Hall of Fame Enshrinement to be held on September 26 in Dayton, Ohio.
The decision to consolidate and move the activities came among a multitude of cancellations and postponements across aviation in recent weeks. Among them are all NBAA activities through the first part of the year, including its joint EBACE convention and exhibition; Aero Friedrichshafen; the Aircraft Electronics Association annual convention; Flight Safety Foundation’s Business Aviation Safety Seminar; JetNet’s iQ Summit; and AOPA’s Fly-In in Texas, among many others. Some have been postponed with new dates, including Sun ‘n’ Fun Aerospace Expo—which for now is pushed back by one month —and the Regional Air Cargo Carriers Association, now set to be held October 20-22.
