The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1951-12-21

authority IN aer0nauClcal engineer
ing, pictured the airplane as an
instrument of world understand
ing, peace and freedom at the 48th
anniversary observance of mans
first successful powered flight and
memorial to Wilbur and Orville
Wright. last Monday.
"Only air power can assure
peace" De Seversky said, urging
America to produce planes "of
superior quality in overwhelming
quantity" to "cross the Iron Cur
tain" and liberate the slaves of
Soviet domination.
"The United States is the only
nation that employed it's Air Force
in a strategic way during World
War II The United States
fought for command of the air over
Germany and Japan We have
hundreds of thousands of young
men trained in the skills of stra-
tegic aviation ;.
Can't Be Stolen
"That's something the enemy
can't learn through steals or
spies!" he added.
He concluded by urging America
to boldly take the leadership in
the service or freedom"
De Seversky's address followed
morning exercises at the Wright
Memorial Monument. Rose petals
from California were dropped
from plane over the 65-foot
granite pylon marking the spot
where man first conquered the air.
Wreaths from Manteo, Elizabeth
City and Dayton, Ohio, the lifelong
home of the Wright brothers, were
placed at the foot of the majestic
monument.
Representative Herbert C. Bon
ner climaxed a succession Of
speakers in the bright, clear air,
as chill wind whipped from the
north-almost the same direction
from which it came the day Or
vile Wright made the first in
credible flight 4s years ago.
At least 500 spectators watched
while 40 fighters, cargo planes and
bombers representing the latest
advances in aviation, with the feet
ness of lightning and the roar of
thunder, swept overhead one by
one.
These planes included a 165,0O0,-
pound, six-motor B-50 with a
range of more than 5000 miles
and altitude capacity exceeding
10000 feet, and an F-S6 jet with
a trail of black smoke from hori-
zon to horizon in few seconds,
exceeding $50 miles an hour.
Among the spectators were John
Thomas Moore, 66, of Route 2,
Kitty Hawk, the only living wit
ness of the first fight; William
James Tate, SO, of Coinjock, who
encouraged the Wrights to come
here for their fight trials and aid
ed them after they came, and AL
! pheus w. Drinkwater, n, of Man
teo, veteran teiegrapher of the
coastland at the time of the
Wright's several experiments
there.
De Seversly, naturalized Amer
lean who was born in Tiflis, Rus
STA, spoke at the Hotel Carolinian
after the outdoor exercises. He
followed a succession of speakers,
including Capt. Carl B. Olson,
USCG, representing service who
lent aid to the Wright brothers at
the time of their experiments.
Luncheon featured an "inter-
national menu" with sliced fresh
pineapple flown from Hawaii a.
1853 miles, 81 hours flying time),
avocado salad from Cuba (1,157
miles, five hours), salmon steak
from Alaska 1871 miles, "a
hours), baked potato from Canada
1857 miles, four hours), Brussels
sprouts from Belgian $3.50 miles,
Is hours), garbanzos from Next
co CLIPS miles, 10 hours), coffee
from Brazil (5,42S miles, 241k
hoursl, and Camembert cheese
from Fance (3,646 miles, Is
hours).
Representative Bonner, wearing
heavy suit and overcoat and old
fashioned long underwear he had
kept at home in cedar chest since
1917, gave speedy American pep
talk on the sunny south side Of
the monument.
The work of such men as the
Wright brothers had demonstrate
ed that Eve are people fit to lead
the world" and Ito defend one
and all nations who want peace
he said.
Mayor N. Elton Aydlett. Of
Elizabeth City, master Of cere-
monies, also lifted a pants leo
See FLIGHT, Page Pour