Saturday, November 20, 2010

1948 Dawn Patrol Takes Off

At the recent Dawn Patrol, held at Maple Grove Airport, the question came up of when the first event took place. I thought I had posted it in The Fowlerville Chronicles, but could not put my finger readily on the information. As I was cataloguing all of the additional information I have, I came across the following article, published in 1948:

Dawn Patrol to Visit Fowlerville~~Arrangements are being made to welcome the Dawn Patrol at Newton Field, southwest of town, Sunday, October 3.

Invitations have been sent to fliers all over the country, and it is expected that a large number will participate in the event.

A breakfast will be served at the hanger from 8 to 11 am for fliers and spectators, under the sponsorship of the Fowlerville Commercial Club.

Various prizes will be awarded fliers, including prizes for the oldest, youngest, heaviest, and the pilot coming the longest distance.

Everyone in this vicinity is invited to come out for this event early. There will be many planes of various descriptions and visitors will be welcome.

The Commercial Club and the Fowlerville Rotary Club (chartered in 1947) worked together on various community functions. Eventually the Commercial Club ceased to exist and Rotary has taken on more responsibilities to helping out the community. This last September, at the annual Dawn Patrol, over 1200 breakfasts were served on Sunday the 12th. It was a beautiful, sunny day giving everyone an opportunity to see numerous small airplanes, the fire department's equipment, heliocopters in action, and to possibly win door prizes.

As has been the tradition for many years, the next Dawn Patrol will be held the Sunday after Labor Day, September 2011.

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