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Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Leader

Honored by:
Mr. Jack W. Long Jr.

My father, Jack W. Long, Sr., was a pilot of modest achievements. He only flew single-engine airplanes and only in the daylight.

He was World War II Army veteran who transferred his allegiance to the Air Force when it was formed. He served in the Air Force in Tampa, FL during the Korean War but in a non-flying capacity. He always wanted to fly.

After graduating from college in 1952 with a degree in accounting, he began to pursue his dream by taking flying lessons. By the end of the decade, he had a VFR pilot's license and was a member of a private flying club. Whenever he could find the time and the funds, he flew one of the single engine planes around Reading, PA.

Many of his friends were accomplished pilots and he would jump at any opportunity to fly in the right seat of a twin-engine or high-powered single-engine plane.

After having a license for over 30 years and never passing his IFR test, he gave up flying because of failing health.

My Dad never received any honors or earned a cent from flying. He did it because he reveled in it.

He truly qualifies as "One who loves aviation."