HERITAGE MINUTE

The Association of Graduates’ Heritage Trail includes the POW Memorial Sculpture. Located at the entrance of the Southeast Asia Memorial Pavilion, it contains the names of the 33 Academy graduates who were prisoners of war in Vietnam. ----more---- It also lists the dates of their captivity and, if applicable, release. Unfortunately, two graduates died in captivity: Captains Lance

The largest and most commanding structure on the Heritage Trail is the Southeast Asia Memorial Pavilion. A gift of the Class of ‘70, it was dedicated on October first, 2010, during the class’s 40-year reunion. ----more---- The facility pays homage to Air Force Academy graduates who served and sacrificed during the Southeast Asia conflict. Plaques list each of the 150 Academy gr

In the traffic circle outside Doolittle Hall, the Air Force Academy alumni headquarters, is a remarkable sculpture of Pegasus. ----more---- This winged horse, a gift from the Italian government, has been on the Academy grounds since before our first class graduated. The Pegasus statue is a replica of one displayed at the Italian Air War College in Florence. In mythology, Pegasus is

In the waning days of his 45-year career serving and supporting the Long Blue Line, Maj. (Ret.) Tom Kroboth was inducted as an honorary member of the Association of Graduates during a Dec. 5, 2023 ceremony.----more---- Reprinted from the March 2024 issue of Checkpoints MagazineWritten by Jeff Holmquist “This is certainly long overdue,” Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Hans Mueh ’66, a membe

An important part of the Association of Graduates’ commitment to heritage is recognizing and honoring the Academy’s most outstanding graduates. ----more---- While every graduate contributes in his or her own way, some are worthy of special recognition. The AOG’s Heritage Trail contains pedestals dedicated to the Distinguished Graduate Award recipients. The Distinguished Gradu

A key feature of the Heritage Trail at Doolittle Hall is the Challenge Bridge. The bridge was commissioned by the Academy’s first graduating class, the Class of ’59, and their surrogate upperclassmen, the Air Training Officers. ----more---- It was dedicated on June 17th, 2004, when members of the class were at the Academy for their 45-year reunion. The stone and mortar structur

One of the three missions of the Association of Graduates is to promote the heritage of the Academy and the accomplishments of its graduates. One very visible representation of this undertaking is the Heritage Trail, located adjacent to Doolittle Hall, the AOG’s headquarters building. ----more---- It is part memorial, part inspirational park, part museum, and part educational fac

Season 2 of Heritage Minute with Lt. Col. (Ret.) Steve Simon ’77 is under way! In this episode, a walk-through of the Association of Graduates and Air Force Academy Foundation headquarters named for Gen. James "Jimmy" Doolittle.----more---- Located on 24 acres of land on the Air Force Academy, just southeast of the Cadet Area, is Doolittle Hall, the Association of Graduates’ he

Penny Grossman served 21 years of active duty as an Air Force nurse. In 1973, She was stationed at Clark Air Base in the Philippines during Operation Homecoming, when nearly 600 American Prisoners of War were freed. The first leg of their journey home took them from Hanoi to Clark Air Base, where Penny witnessed their first steps of freedom. She has not spoken of these difficult me

The primary goal of the United States Air Force Academy is to educate, train, and inspire men and women to become leaders of character for the nation. ----more----One great way to do this is by exposing cadets to individuals who embody the selflessness, grit, and other characteristics we work to instill in them. No group of leaders has demonstrated these values better than Medal of