Wings of Honor Fund Receives Chumash Donation

The Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation is one major donation closer to funding a Wings of Honor tribute to the men and women who served at the West Coast Marine Corps Air Station during WWII.

The base was located on Chumash land at what is now the Santa Barbara Airport.

Brigadier General Frederick Lopez, USMCR (Ret), is the committee chairman.

On Monday morning, Lopez introduced Kenneth Kahn during a check presentation at the airport terminal.

Kahn announced a $500,000 pledge from the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians.

Sculptor Douglas Lochner of Ojai is creating the design.

Lochner’s design will be made of thick transparent, self-cleaning, non-glare glass with pure white LED lights at night.

Airport visitors and travelers will be able to walk beneath the wings on their way to and from their flights.

Once inside the airport, they will be able to read about the airports military glory and history.

The project will cost $3.1 million by the time it is complete.

About a third of the amount has been raised with the help of the Chumash donation.

For donation information visit www.wingsofhonorsantabarbara.org

To learn more about the artists visit http://artthatworks.com/