GENERAL JOHN R. DAILEY, USMC (Ret.), and WIFE MIMI

“I hope to inspire future generations by making the legacy of the Wright brothers accessible to them. The thousands of artifacts at both the flagship building on the National Mall and the new Udvar-Hazy Center show the history, science, and technology of flight in dynamic, meaningful ways.”

To celebrate the Centennial of Flight, the National Air and Space Museum opened its companion facility, the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center on December 15, 2003. For Museum Director John R. "Jack" Dailey, the opening of this facility is the culmination of a dream and of many years of effort.

Dailey, a highly decorated pilot and a leader in the Marine Corps, at NASA, and now at the National Air and Space Museum, is leading the expansion of the most visited museum in the world. To commemorate the opening of the Udvar-Hazy Center and the Centennial of Flight, Dailey and his wife Mimi have made the National Air and Space Museum a beneficiary of their will, making them members of the Smithsonian Legacy Society.

DEPUTY DIRECTOR of the NASM, LT. COL. DONALD S. LOPEZ, USAF (Ret.), and WIFE GLINDEL.

”This place is a pilot's heaven. The National Air and Space Museum has been a major part of our lives for almost 30 years – and today the new Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is as well. Our contribution will help to ensure the success and growth of both.”

Donald Lopez became a WWII fighter ace harassing Japanese forces in a shark-mouthed P-40 in China. He’s been a test pilot, flown jets in the Korean War, taught at the U.S. Air Force Academy, worked on the Apollo-Saturn and Skylab programs, and written books on his experiences. He made aerospace history, and today he works to preserve it for the future. Don and Glyn Lopez care deeply for the National Air and Space Museum and its work to preserve the history of flight. They’re honored to include the Museum in their will, and are proud members of the Smithsonian Legacy Society.

LT. COL. WILLIAM KONZE (US ARMY, Ret.)

"Before the War, we would just go flying. No chute, no goggles, you just put a jacket on and went. Today, I so admire the people who fly and explore space, and you can see it all here at this wonderful Museum!"

At age 19, Bill Konze, with a pilot friend, flew in open-cockpit single-winged planes out of a tiny airport in Morristown, New Jersey. He spent a long and distinguished career as an officer and civilian with the U.S. Army, beginning as a "ground pounder/gravel agitator" (infantry) in World War II. But he never got over the thrill of being up in the air, nor did he lose his admiration for the pioneers of flight.

Recently, Bill Konze established a charitable gift annuity to benefit the National Air and Space Museum, and he is a proud member of the Smithsonian Legacy Society.

AEROSPACE ENGINEER ED SACHTLEBEN

"Every time I'm in Washington I make sure to visit the Hughes Racer and then I attempt to discover something new in some corner of the Museum. I am never disappointed.”

For years, billionaire Howard Hughes’s aircraft company was on the cutting edge of aviation. With a new engineering degree, Ed Sachtleben knew Hughes Aircraft was where he wanted to be. Thus began a 34-year career of designing satellite control systems—and a lifetime of admiration for Howard Hughes and his engineers.

Ed Sachtleben knows that the National Air and Space Museum shares his respect for aviation and space history. He’s proud to have named the Museum as a beneficiary of his life insurance and his retirement plan, and is now a member of the Smithsonian Legacy Society.

CAPT. GEORGE WILLIAM ELLIOTT
and MRS. VIRGINIA ELLIOTT

"After devoting my life to aviation, I couldn’t just retire. I remain connected to a field I love through our support of the Museum. Our gift annuities will help inspire future pilots.”

Capt. George William Elliott’s romance with aviation spanned more than four wonderful decades. He began his career as a flight instructor in the cockpit of a Curtiss P-40. He trained to fly the Northrop P-61C Black Widow, and he retired as a United Airlines captain.

“I had to find a way to stay involved,” says Capt. Elliott. He and his wife, Virginia, discovered they could arrange a charitable gift annuity to benefit the National Air and Space Museum. “Our gift brought us such joy,” adds Virginia Elliott. “George wanted to share his passion for aviation with others.” They were so delighted that the Elliotts have established a charitable gift annuity every year since then.

PATTY WAGSTAFF

“The Museum promises so much potential—to inspire kids, stretch imaginations, and preserve the amazing history of flight. My bequest will help keep the promise. You can help, too.”

Such bequests really do help.

Patty Wagstaff became the best—among men and women. Today, she’s a champion aerobatic pilot, air show star, aerobatic coach and trainer, writer and lecturer.

She’s also a member of the Smithsonian Legacy Society, as one of many benefactors who has included the National Air and Space Museum in her will.

AGNES BROWN

“I’ve spent my lifetime helping children learn and explore. It’s very reassuring to know that the charitable gift I make today will ensure excellent educational opportunities for children tomorrow.”

Our children will become tomorrow’s scientists, engineers, pilots and astronauts. They will inhabit the International Space Station, fly missions to Mars, and set new records for aviation and space flight. But their spirit and imagination will be driven by what they learn from the past.

Agnes Brown, Museum docent, knows this well. As a retired principal, she has an excellent perspective on what the Museum can offer future generations. That’s why she’s included a gift annuity for the Museum in her estate plans.

COL. JOSEPH S. BENHAM (USAF, Ret.)
and MRS. BETTY BENHAM

His dreams of flying came true during World War II, in P-40s and other warplanes. Then he volunteered to fly jets in Korea. He spent 30 years serving with the U.S. Air Force. With a lifetime of aviation behind him, Colonel Benham stays involved, attending reunions, and visiting the Museum and its restoration facilities.

The Benhams believe the National Air and Space Museum is essential to awareness of the depth and breadth of aviation. They've created two gift annuities and included the Museum in their living trust.

They receive:

• Satisfaction by helping the National Air and Space Museum financially
  
• A fixed income for the rest of their lives
  
• Income tax benefits.
  
  

BRIG. GEN. JON REYNOLDS (USAF, Ret.)

"Thirty-one years in the Air Force gave me many great opportunities. I flew several memorable aircraft including the F-100, the F-105, and even a MiG-17, when I was stationed in China as defense attaché.”

His first opportunity to fly was at age 12, in a float plane off a lake in Canada. Hooked on flying, he went on to an extraordinary career. He’s a pilot with two combat tours in Vietnam, a professor with a Ph.D. in history who taught at the U.S. Air Force Academy, and a Board member of the National Air and Space Museum.

Jon Reynolds and his wife, Emilee also have taken the opportunity to make the National Air and Space Museum the beneficiary of a generous trust. They are members of the Smithsonian Legacy Society.