The independent. [volume] (Elizabeth City, N.C.) 1908-1936, 1927-08-05
Proposes Annual Celebration of First
Wright Flight At Kill Devil Hills
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Warner Wants
Important Memorial to the Birth of
Aviation Kept in The Nations Eye

Hon Edward P. Warner,
Assistant Secretary of the
Navy in Charge of AeronauticS
advances the idea this week
hat formal exercises commem-
orative of the first airplane
light should be held at Kill
Davil Hills on the North Caro-
ina coast annually.
Secretary Warmers suggestion is
pntained in a letter TO the editor
If this newspaper dated at Wash
ngtOn. August I, 1927. Mr.. Warner
says:
/ have noted the plan to have
the forthcoming commemorative
exercises on the anniversary Of
the birth q Virginia Dare. While
1 appreciate to the fullest the
pride of the people Of Roanoke Is
land and the surrounding terri.
tory in the large share which that
area had In cur earliest history.
I hope that as . general rule the
events at Kitty Hawk end Kill
Devil Hill will be planned with
reference TO historic Incidents
specifically aeronautfcal. In parti-
cular, I think 1t would be very ap-
propriate that formal exercises
commemorative Of the first flight
should be held either annually or
from time to time, and particu-'
larry upon the dedication of any
permanent memorial, upon the an
niversary of that flight itself.
I shall look forward to having
an opportunity to return to the
North Carolina shores and hope
that next time I may accept that
hospitabIe Invitation Of the citi-
zens of Elizabeth City to visit that
community.
The suggestion Of Secretary
Warner Is expected to inspire
prompt action upon the part OF
enterprising Northeastern North
who will readily see the
Of staging an annual
here that will appeal to
the Imagination Of the nation and
center the attention Of the aeronau-
teal world OH the birthplace Of
aviation.
1t is conceivable that the parti-
ripation Of the Federal government
and the numerous aero clubs In
America could Ike enlisted in such
an annual celebration and fliers
from all over America brought TO
Virginia Dare Shores annually,
staging here the most impressive
aerial congress anywhere in the
world.
Secretary Warmers interest In
such n celebration grows out of his
interest in the Federal memorial to
the first Wright flight to be erect
I'd at Kill Devil Hills within the
next year or so. 1t Is one thing to
spend half million dollars or more
Of the nations funds for Il magni-
ficent memorial, but Of more impOr-
lance than the monument itself Is
the national pride and patriotism
which it is expected to stimulate and
keep alive.
To keep that monument and what
{ stands for in the public eye is q
natter of serious concern to the
eminent commissioners charged with
he business OF building it. Here
hen is another job for Elizabeth
.'ity. the capital Of the Albemarle
region. 1t Is worth while for Eliz-
,beth City because Elizabeth City
AN identify itself with a great M
tional shrine and reap infinite re-
wards from the publicity that will
'ome to it by reason Of its patriotic
4 vexing detail that would have
To- he worked out in connection with
any plan for an annual celebration
Of the birth Of aviation is the I'M
prOpitious dates of the first Wright
flights. The first flight was made
on Dec. II, 1903. 1t was a flight
In maine only and the great flight
which was heralded TO the world
thru the newspapers was on May
6. 1908. Neither May 6 nor Dec.
II is very attractive date for a
great air pafgeant.
Orville Wright. who made the
first flight ut Kill Devil Hill was
born Oh August 10, 1871. Orville
Wright's birthday wOusl suit very
well. but that would leave his broth
er and co-wOrker, the late Wilbur