Vets to celebrate D-Day with P-51 Mustang flyover

David Waggoner has been a resident of Issaquah since 1945, with the exception of the years he spent serving his country, including active duty in the Vietnam War. His father, one of the greatest generation, served in World War II. Waggoner, the commander of the Issaquah VFW Post 3436, has arranged for four flyable P-51 Mustangs to fly over Issaquah's Memorial Field to mark the 70th anniversary of D-Day.

By Linda Ball • June 3, 2014 7:00 pm
A North American P-51D Mustang from Paul Allen's Flying Heritage Collection.
A North American P-51D Mustang from Paul Allen's Flying Heritage Collection.

 

David Waggoner has been a resident of Issaquah since 1945, with the exception of the years he spent serving his country, including active duty in the Vietnam War. His father, one of the greatest generation, served in World War II.

June 6 marks the 70th anniversary of D-Day, when 150,000 allied troops stormed the beach at Normandy, France, surprising and overwhelming the German forces. It was a tipping point in the war, and the largest seaborne invasion in history.

Waggoner, the commander of the Issaquah VFW Post 3436, has arranged for four flyable P-51 Mustangs to fly over Issaquah’s Memorial Field at approximately 12:55 p.m. Friday. The time for the flyover could fluctuate due to weather and air traffic control.

The planes belong to the Heritage Flight Museum, owned by Paul Allen, and have been completely restored. One of them flew four sorties in WWII.

“B-17 bomber pilots called them ‘their little friend,'” Waggoner said. The P-51s went first into combat before the bombers, he added.

Waggoner wants to have as many WWII veterans as possible on the field for the flyover.

“The planes will come in and hopefully drop low enough to wave to the veterans,” he said.

The Issaquah singers are set to sing “America the Beautiful” around noon. Food and beverages will be provided free from local businesses. After the fly over, the singers will then sing “God Bless America.”