Onsite: Honolulu's Pacific Aviation Museum Opens on Ford Island

The Pacific Aviation Museum opened December 7 on the 65th anniversary of the attack that brought the U.S. into World War II. Veterans and their families were among those on hand for opening ceremonies, which included speeches by Gen. Chuck Yeager (USAF Ret.), the man who broke the sound barrier, and Capt. Wally Schirra (USN Ret.), who served in the country's three manned space programs. The new museum-years in the planning-includes several aircraft, such as a Japanese Zero fighter, a U.S. Navy Wildcat fighter, and an Army Air Corps B-25 Mitchell bomber. There's also an Aeronca 65TC; the civilian aircraft on display is the one fired upon by Zeros in the first wave of aircraft bound for Pearl Harbor. A number of the docents at the interactive museum helped with the restoration of the aircraft, which enriches the information they are able to share with visitors. Visit [www.pacificaviationmuseum.org].