Crowds gather for Fly-In, Memorial tribute

By PAT REEDER


Will Rogers Memorial Museums

Will Rogers and Wiley Post Post died 75 years ago in an Alaskan plane crash, both in their prime of life, Wiley laid claim to fame as an aviator. Will was an actor, writer, philosopher and philanthropist. Both were dedicated to flying and promotion of aviation.
 
For the first time since the deaths, four simultaneous tributes were made to the two men — at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore: at the Will Rogers Ranch in Will Rogers Historic Park in Pacific Palisades, Calif.; at Wiley Post’s graveside in Oklahoma City Memorial Park Cemetery; and in Barrow, Alaska, where their bodies were taken when they were removed from the crash.
 
Will Rogers was flown home to California, where he lived with his family at the time of his death. Post’s body was flown to Oklahoma City for burial. Services for Will Rogers were held in California and he was buried in the famous Forest Lawn Cemetery. After the Will Rogers Memorial Museum opened in 1938, Betty Rogers planned a tomb on the grounds and Will’s body was moved here.
 
The afternoon tributes followed the annual Will Rogers-Wiley Post Fly-In on the grass strip at the Will Rogers Birthplace Ranch and a Champagne Brunch and Dog Iron Polo Cup at the California Ranch. More than 60 pilots and more than 1,000 spectators were at the Oologah ranch for a morning of flying, looking at planes, and enjoying food, fun and fellowship, Cherokee storytelling, children’s amusements and a classic and antique car show.
 
Dave Denton, who has been coming from Siloam Springs, Ark., the last nine years in his Call Air, was picked by spectators as the “People’s Choice” plane and pilot. He said there are only nine All Air’s still flying.
 
Ross Adkins, assisted by Tony Isler, introduced pilots as they arrived.
 
Ed Fogel, a United Airlines pilot and resident of Rogers County, participated in the Fly-In, then flew over the Will Rogers Memorial before family members placed a wreath at the tomb in the sunken garden. Kem Rogers, grandson of Will Rogers, was joined by Doris Lane “Coke” Meyer, a great-niece, and Nancy Smith, a great-great-niece.
 
Presenting the colors was an Honor Guard from Boy Scout Troop 88, Claremore First United Methodist Church, and vocalist Mary West from Oologah,
 
Sen. Sean Burrage read a proclamation from Gov. Brad Henry, proclaiming Sunday, Aug. 15, “Will Rogers Remembrance Day.” Jim Hartz Will Rogers Memorial Commission Chairman recreated the eulogy delivered by Rev. J. Whitcomb Brougher Sr. at the California funeral service at Wee Kirk o’ the Heather.
 
Museum Director Steve Gregart recognized military aviation veterans and active duty personnel at the tribute.
 
Mikela Connella, bugler with the award-winning Oologah-Talala Mustang Band, played “Taps”.
 
Bryan Brewer flew a 1941 Stearman over the Post monument to open the Oklahoma City ceremony, coordinated by Don Dennis, Wiley Post Commission. Also on the program was Bob Burke, author of a Wiley Post biography; Dr. Bob Blackburn, Oklahoma Historical Society executive director; and retired aviator Wil Moore and state Supreme Court Justice Marian P. Opala, friends and former classmates of Wiley’s brother, Gordon.
 
The California tribute was coordinated by members of the Will Rogers Ranch Foundation, working closely with Jennifer Rogers Etcheverry, granddaughter of Will Rogers. She is the daughter of. Kem Rogers, who serves on the Oklahoma Will Rogers Memorial Commission.
 
In Alaska, the tribute came at the end of the annual Claire Okpeaha Memorial Run from the crash site into Barrow. It was Okpeaha who witnessed the crash and brought the word the 15 miles to Barrow.