GENESEO – In middle school, Philadelphia kid Stephen Skeel made a short film on a church acquaintance, an articulate local WWII veteran by the name of Leslie Cruise. Skeel, now in his early twenties, says the original film wasn't great. However, it fanned a spark that would build to be 7 Wonders Cinema, the production company Skeel founded with his business partner and peer, Michael Ayjian. This Veterans Day, they released a 'second take,' … [Read more...]
WWII’s Pioneering Female Bomber Pilot to Visit National Warplane Museum’s Airshow
GENESEO – An American hero, women's aviation pioneer and champion of WASP will grace the grounds of this year's airshow at the National Warplane Museum. Dawn Rochow Balden Seymour, 100, will be at the museum on Big Tree Road for the airshow July 14 through 16. She was the first woman ever accepted into the Cornell Pilot Training Program (CPTP), is a trained combat night pilot, has flown most of the surviving B-17's that still fly today and was … [Read more...]
National Warplane Museum Fuels Young Pilot’s Dreams of Building Flight School
LIVINGSTON COUNTY – A National Warplane Museum volunteer turned pilot from Avon is going full throttle to someday open a WWII museum and flight school somewhere in Western New York. The romance of flight was never lost on Austin Hancock, 26. As a kid, he was obsessed with the majesty of aviation, the perfect marriage of mechanical ingenuity and human ability. "When I was in 5th or 6th grade I knew I would have my own business like this," … [Read more...]
SUN VIDEO: National Warplane Museum’s Educational Programs Take Off
GENESEO – The National Warplane Museum's educational programs are taking off, drawing kids and grownups from across Western New York to see real World War II planes, weapons and gear in action. On Friday, that meant the museum was host to Cub Scout Troop 6066 of Indian Falls. "I liked the Tom gun and this plane the most," said Cub Scout Spencer Kohl. "I knew that they had it but I didn't know a lot about it." Reenactors volunteer their … [Read more...]
Jamieson Steele to Share and Identify War Memorabilia in Nunda
NUNDA – World War II Uniforms, Pins, and Memorabilia will be the topic of the Nunda Historical Society’s 'First Sunday' series of programs. According to a press release from the Nunda Historical Society, Jamieson Steele will be displaying and discussing part of his extensive collection of WWII military items on Sunday, April 2, and will be available to identify and talk about any memorabilia that curious attendees want to bring. Steele is … [Read more...]
National Warplane Museum Goes Above and Beyond with Year-Round Events
GENESEO – The National Warplane Museum is hitting the gas with year-round events, climbing higher as one of the region's most sought-after destinations. Starting this year, the National Warplane Museum will run family-friendly historical-themed events every month in addition to their nationally renowned summer airshow. "We're a year round operation," said Dawn Schaible, Director of Planning and Government Affairs and Media Relations. "The … [Read more...]
Afghanistan Vet and Triple IED Survivor on Top of the World after Whiskey 7 Jump
GENESEO – A Marine with his roots in Canadice jumped at the opportunity to honor the legacy of American veterans by leaping from the very aircraft that dropped troops over France on D-Day, 1944. The All Veteran Parachute Team, stars of the National Warplane Museum's airshow, the Greatest Show on Turf, took Purple Heart recipient PFC David Olin Coon up with them to jump from Whiskey 7, a historic crown jewel of the museum. The team has now … [Read more...]
‘Memphis Belle’ Returns Home to National Warplane Museum in Geneseo
Watch our landing footage and interviews with museum personnel below! GENESEO – A flying national celebrity returned on Thursday to take up permanent residency at the National Warplane Museum in Geneseo and continue her work honoring veterans and educating the public about World War II. This 74-foot long, 103-foot wingspan Boeing B-17 'Flying Fortress' portrayed the fabled 'Memphis Belle,' one of the first B-17 United States Army Air Force … [Read more...]
Whiskey-7 Awes Thousands at Geneseo Airshow
GENESEO — Folks from all over the country gathered at the National Warplane Museum on Saturday, as they have for more than 30 years. Spectators walk among historic planes, many from the World War II era, watch them fly,and maybe meet a pilot. Milling near the runway, spectators enjoyed a real treat, gazing on Whiskey-7, a fully functional 1943 model Douglass C-47 cargo plane, from the shade of her massive wings. There were many more WWII … [Read more...]
Patriot Guard Riders Will Escort Veterans Remains Through County
LIVINGSTON COUNTY — The Patriot Guard Riders of New York will escort the unclaimed remains of twelve United States Veterans to their final resting place. On Friday, September 6, the Patriot Guard Riders will escort United States Veterans from Buffalo and Rochester to the Bath National Cemetery. The following Veterans will be interred with full military honors: Pvt. Joseph Gunther, Army, WWI Lt. Robert A. Lehmer, Navy, WWII SSgt. … [Read more...]