Air Force leaders sign memorial spire

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Julie Weckerlein
  • Air Force News Service
WASHINGTON (AFPN) --  Two of the Air Force's top leaders signed a segment of the nearly completed Air Force Memorial during a visit to the construction site in Arlington, Va., on Aug. 3.

Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. T. Michael Moseley and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney McKinley both inked their signatures with permanent marker on a portion of stainless steel. The piece will soon be lifted on top of the tallest of the three spires that make up the memorial.

The two were given a personal tour of the area by retired Maj. Gen. Edward Grillo Jr., president of the Air Force Memorial Foundation. Both said they were impressed by what they'd seen.

"I think this is something that Airmen and the citizens of the United States can be proud of," Chief McKinley said. "It represents the very best of what we have to offer in the Air Force."

General Moseley said he appreciates all the hard work that has been put into the memorial.

"We're long overdue to have a memorial here in Washington to the sacrifices Airmen have made since the beginning of powered flight," he said. "This is a tribute to those people who are out there this afternoon in harm's way."

Chief McKinley noted the various aspects of the memorial, such as the granite inscription walls, that incorporate the Air Force's history.

"It shows where we've come from, the past," he said. "At the same time, this represents where we go in the future."

Chief McKinley said putting his signature on the spire was an honor for him.

"I've spoken about it with my wife," he said, "and it's truly humbling and exciting to be putting my name alongside General Moseley's on this tribute to our Air Force heritage"

The visit comes just weeks before the official dedication of the memorial, which will also kick-off the service's 60th anniversary commemoration. The 60th Anniversary Commemoration, "Heritage to Horizons: Commemorating 60 Years of Air and Space Power," runs from October through 2007 and will be recognized at events Air Force-wide.