- By Liam Sullivan
- In News
Chairman’s Monthly Message — May 2026
Greetings Fellow VAHS Members,
I hope you enjoyed the Memorial Day weekend and remembered the many hundreds of thousands of men and women in our Armed Forces who sacrificed their todays so that we can live out our tomorrows in a free and prosperous country!
May has been a very busy month for VAHS!
On May 2, the VAHS Annual Membership Meeting was held at Horsefeathers Airport. Thirty-four members including six Hall of Fame members (Chuck Tippet, Ron Gatewood, Bud Oakey, Van Crosby, John Corradi and Bob Hepp) attended. Total attendance was several hundred. Five new members joined and seven renewed their memberships. This was the best single day membership increase in the last ten years. Sales, auctions and donations netted a record $6048 for VAHS. This event also saw the initial use of our new remote payments system. VAHS now has the capability to process credit and debit card transactions at locations remote from the office. Many thanks to Chuck Tippet for donating the use of his facility and making all the event arrangements! Photos attached.
Also on May 2, Tim McSwain is putting the finishing touches on a Hall of Fame portraits display at the Williamsburg Airport. Once completed, there will be a total of 46 HoF portraits on display at five locations (Stafford, Warrenton, Hanover, Williamsburg and the Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach).
Hall of Fame Committee Chairman Tim McSwain formed his nomination committee on May 5. Nominations are due by June 15.
May 7, Developed Annual Membership Meeting lessons learned and best practices document to guide and streamline planning for future events.
May 9, VAHS participated in a fly-in and pancake breakfast at Williamsburg Airport with the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Capital Wing. This was the first joint event with CAF pursuant to a cooperative agreement between the two organizations. HoF portraits and archives displays at the VAHS table were very popular with the crowd. Four new members joined.
May 11, the Community Foundation Board approved Ron Gatewood’s Captain Worley Scholarship Committee recommendations for 2026. Three $3500 scholarships to be awarded.
May 21, VAHS Chairman was the guest speaker at the Northern Neck Middle Peninsula (NNMP) Chapter meeting. Dick Genaille reported the results of the Annual Membership Meeting and addressed the importance of preserving Virginia aviation history and the VAHS role in this essential public service. Dick also applauded Chapter Leader Jody Nelson and other former chapter leaders in attendance for making the NNMP the longest continuously running VAHS Chapter.
Our aggressive pace will continue into June.
June 6, Women Can Fly event at Warrenton Airport.
June 13-14, Joint CAF – VAHS B-17 and B-25 visit to Warrenton Airport.
VAHS will have a HoF portraits and archives table at both events. Volunteers are needed to help solicit new members and donations. Please come out and support the VAHS and CAF.
Happy landings!
Dick Genaille
Chairman, VAHS Board of Directors
