"Dinner with the Pilots".

Name: "Dinner with the Pilots".
Start: 2025-08-22T18:00:00-07:00
Location: B17 Lacey Lady

Schedule

Fri, 22 Aug, 2025 at 06:00 pm

UTC-07:00

Location

B17 Lacey Lady | Salem, OR

This evening will be full of surprises!
B-17 Alliance is dedicated to preserving American history; our mission is to inspire the community through the personal stories of the Greatest Generation. This evening promises to be no different.
VIP tickets offer a memorable night with a spectacular view of the Flying Legends, seated with one of our esteemed guests, Ben Berry—son of Benny Lee "Flaps" Berry, one of the Flying Legends crew members, or our featured artist, Gary Westford.
It’s rare to find a group so experienced in flying legendary aircraft from a bygone era. The Flying Legends crew has devoted their lives to bringing history to our communities. Ben Berry, son of one of the few Red Tail Tuskegee Airmen, will be our guest of honor. Among his accomplishments, he is the CEO & Chief Strategy Officer of AirShip Technologies. Ben will share his father's inspiring story of determination and citizenship.
Gary Westford is a local artist with a compelling story. Having exhibited his work nationally and at the Hallie Ford Museum in Salem, OR, it is an honor to have him join B-17 Alliance to help raise funds for the ongoing restoration of the Lacey Lady. Gary’s “Ball Turret Gunner” has its own story. His father's service inspired this 4’x6’ original painting, which will be on display in the B-17 Alliance Museum and available for sale at $8,000. A framed, museum-quality print will be auctioned following dinner and a live Jazz Band. Limited-edition signed prints and other copies will be available throughout the week. All proceeds will benefit B-17 Alliance!
This is a rare chance to mingle with the crews of the flying legends—the world-famous B-17G Sentimental Journey and the B-25 Maid in the Shade—as well as the son of a Tuskegee Airman and a talented artist.
We hope you’ll register to join us for this inspiring evening.