The city of Boise and the surrounding valley would never have grown and prospered without pilots. They came here to fly for the Bureau of Reclamation and the Forest Service, for Mountain Home Air Force Base and Gowen Field, for private industry and public service.
This place we love was seen for many years as an outpost, a stopover between the major cities of the northwest and the major cities of the Rocky Mountain west. It was a place with a vibrant airport and many pilots who helped make sure all the important work done in this outpost remained connected to the rest of this great nation.
Many of the pilots who helped make this a great city and a great state were living a second life, a life of grace bestowed upon them after valiant service to this country. They flew with honor, with bravery, with valor and with courage in World War II, then came to Idaho and helped build a city.
As a nation, we will never forget the sacrifices made by these pilots, who risked it all for freedom while infusing into our history and culture a spirit and symbolism which lasts to this day. We owe them much, but we also owe it to them never to forget what they did when they came home, and how they honored those who died by living lives of dignity and service as they helped build the city of Boise.
It is my honor and privilege to help memorialize those who flew and fought for the Army Air Corps in World War II. Their sacrifice and service -- in wartime and in peace -- will never be forgotten.
Minnick statement at dedication of aviator statue at Boise airport
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