Help save bomber plant at Willow Run

The Yankee Air Museum and its partner, the Michigan Aerospace Foundation, are on a mission to save a cornerstone of the Arsenal of Democracy.

 

The historic bomber plant at Willow Run Airport, which turned out more than 8,700 B-24 Liberator heavy bombers in World War II, is headed for demolition. The legacy of this factory goes well beyond building armaments. This complex helped build a nation in every way imaginable.

 

My good friend, the great broadcaster and meteorologist Sonny Eliot, passed to a better place, Nov. 16, 2012. Sonny was a pilot and combat veteran of the U.S. Army Air Forces in World War II. He commanded a B-24 Liberator in the strategic air war against Nazi Germany. His B-24 was shot down, but he survived. For 18 months, he was a prisoner of war. Sonny was also a life member of the Yankee Air Museum.

 

If he were here, I’m sure he would be working to save the bomber plant. Now my friend is forecasting with his inimitable charm, perpetually happy atmospheres in his heavenly realm. Sonny’s brilliance could shed light on light. So I’ll take a cue from his style manual and keep this message simple, direct and true.

 

We need help to save the bomber plant.

 

The opportunity to save a critical portion of the plant arose just recently. More importantly, we have only until Aug. 1 to raise the needed funds. At present, we need to raise more than $5 million. We’ve raised $3 million so far.

 

The Yankee Air Museum and Michigan Aerospace Foundation need media champions. We simply do not have the wherewithal to conduct the kind of mass communications necessary to be successful. We need to get the word out, tell our story and ask for help far and wide to achieve our mission.

 

We need audience participation now. Yes, that means you. Visit www.savethebomberplant.org for the whole story. Everything you need to know is there. Please donate and help spread the word.