A tribute to four highly decorated South Dakota WWII veterans will be unveiled next month (Oct. 16) at the Pierre Regional Airport.
“The Eagles Gallery” features the aircraft flown by “Doolittle Raiders” Henry Potter from Pierre and Don Smith from Oldham, Distinguished Flying Cross recipient Harold Thune and Navy Cross recipient Curtis Cameron. The art will accompany the existing display honoring Battle of Midway hero John Waldron.
The Oct. 16 unveiling will begin at 4pm and feature a special gallery installment of Cameron’s actual Navy Cross by his family. An additional aspect of the unveiling will be the inauguration of a multimedia display produced by the South Dakota Air and Space Museum designed to broaden the impact of South Dakota’s contribution to the Doolittle Raid of April 18, 1942.
The Rotary Club of Pierre/Fort Pierre is sponsoring the “The Eagles Gallery” as part of its ongoing mission to celebrate South Dakota’s significant contribution to national and world history. The four art pieces– originally scheduled to be unveiled in April, but delayed because of COVID-19– were created by South Dakotan artist, writer and filmmaker John Mollison.
Pierre-Fort Pierre Rotary Club President Ann Schwartz, stated “Rotary’s motto is Service Above Self. The men whose airplanes and stories will be displayed in The Eagles Gallery embodied that motto and represent the extraordinary actions of South Dakotans who responded and continue to respond to the call of service. Our Club is proud to support this effort.”
Pierre Airport Manager, Cameron Howard stated, “An especially interesting aspect of these stories is that they each have a connection to the Pierre/Fort Pierre area. When people go through the airport and take a quick look, they’ll know of our community’s amazing heritage.”
Artist John Mollison believes in the power of history. “History is nutritious as it feeds our understanding of how we work. If we know our history, we can better guide our future. These airplanes represent moments that affect all of us in some way today.”
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