Foil: 9 Panel: 2 Column: 2 Line: 17

Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:
Mr. Joseph A. Arata

Arata Jr. was born in Pleasantville, NJ in 1931 at the height of the Golden Age of Aviation. His childhood was spent building numerous balsa wood model airplanes and flying them until they could fly no more. He belonged to his High School Aviation Club where he first took to flight in a Piper Cub. Upon graduation he enlisted in the USAF and taught the engineering station on the new KC 97 Aerial Refueler. After leaving the Air Force. Lou stepped into what was probably his greatest contribution to aviation, teaching the love of it to his five boys. He spent hours teaching them the wonders of flight through model airplanes, trips to air shows and from the left seat of a Piper Cherokee. He instilled in them the mysteries of space flight and exploration; actively following the space program from its beginning to today's Shuttle Flights. Lastly, he taught them that any challenge can be achieved if you believe in yourself. Thanks Dad.