Wings of Honor Museum

10/19/2026

10/19/2026

What a difference! Take a look at the before and after of our new knee wall at the Wings of Honor Museum!

A huge thank-you to Mike Barndollar with Mikes Carpentry-Construction for his outstanding work. Mike took our vision and delivered a finished wall that exceeded our expectations. His craftsmanship and attention to detail have made a tremendous difference in the appearance of our museum, giving the exhibit area a cleaner, more finished look. We still have a little work to do with hanging posters, but the hard work is done!

If you’re looking for someone for any type of carpentry or construction project, we highly recommend giving Mike a call. We couldn’t be happier with his work!

717-598-1504

Thank you, Mike, for sharing your talents and helping make the Wings of Honor Museum even better!

10/18/2026

✈️ What a wonderful night for the Wings of Honor Museum!

Tonight’s Donor Banquet was a tremendous success, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who joined us in celebrating the history, mission and future of the museum.

For more than 25 years, Wings of Honor Museum has worked to preserve and share the remarkable military and aviation history of the Walnut Ridge Army Air Field, Marine Corps Air Facility–Walnut Ridge, and Walnut Ridge Air Force Station, while honoring the military and civilian men and women whose service and sacrifice helped defend our freedom.

Through historic aircraft, artifacts, photographs, equipment, personal stories and educational exhibits, we are committed to ensuring this important chapter of American military history is preserved for generations to come.

None of that would be possible without our donors.

To every person, family, business and organization that has given their time, resources or financial support over the past 25 years — thank you. Your generosity has allowed us to preserve these stories, care for our collection, maintain and expand our exhibits, and continue the mission of honoring those who served.

Tonight was a celebration of how far we have come — and of the people who have made that journey possible.

Thank you for more than 25 years of believing in and supporting the mission of the Wings of Honor Museum.

Here is to 25 more! 🇺🇸✈️

10/13/2026

John3:16 Ministries

10/12/2026

ON THIS DAY: TRAINING BEGINS AT WALNUT RIDGE

Eighty-four years ago today—October 12, 1942—history took flight at Walnut Ridge Army Air Field.

At precisely 1:00 p.m., the aviation cadets and student officers of Class 43-B began their basic flight training. Although the airfield was not yet complete and aircraft were parked on the dirt near Runway 4-22, 59 instructors and 140 airplanes stood ready. As dozens of engines started, enormous clouds of dust swept across the field—but the mission had officially begun.

During the next 21 months, 5,310 students entered training at Walnut Ridge, and 4,641 graduated. Training was conducted primarily in the Vultee BT-13 and BT-15 Valiant aircraft, preparing young pilots for advanced flight school and service during World War II.

Today, Wings of Honor Museum proudly preserves their legacy and honors the cadets, instructors, military personnel, and civilians who made Walnut Ridge an important part of America’s aviation history.

Their journey began here. Their legacy lives on.

10/01/2026

Wings of Honor Museum had the pleasure of welcoming the Westside High School Air Force JROTC cadets this week!

What an impressive and respectful group of young people. We thoroughly enjoyed their visit and look forward to seeing what all these cadets accomplish in the future!

10/01/2026

We had a GREAT visit today from Crowley’s Ridge Christian Homeschool Coop!

Thanks for stopping by!

09/30/2026

✈️ A major milestone for our BT-13 Valiant.

Today, joined by members of our community, representatives from the Arkansas Division of Aeronautics, airport staff, pilots, members of our Board of Directors, museum staff, and veterans, we gathered for a moment that has been a long time coming.

For the first time in two years, the engine of our BT-13 Valiant was fired up once again.

It was an exciting milestone following many hours of hard work, patience, and dedication from those who have been preparing this historic aircraft for its eventual return to the air.

A special thank-you goes to Pilots Ally, our trusted maintenance partner, for the expertise, care, and commitment they have brought to this process. Their work has been an important part of getting our BT-13 to this point, and we’re grateful to have them alongside us as we continue working toward getting her back in the air.

The BT-13 played an important role in training American military pilots during World War II, and preserving aircraft like this helps ensure that history can continue to be seen, heard, and experienced by future generations.

There is still work ahead, but today was an important step forward—and hearing that engine run again made all of that hard work worth it.

🔊 Turn up the volume and listen to a little piece of aviation history.

🇺🇸 History lives at Wings of Honor Museum.

09/28/2026

Today, Wings of Honor Museum remembers First Lieutenant Francis Daniel Stegna—one of the 42 airmen who lost their lives while serving at Walnut Ridge Army Air Field during World War II.

Francis was born October 6, 1918, in Danville, Pennsylvania, and later lived in Girard, Ohio. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps on December 29, 1941, received basic training at Maxwell Field in Montgomery, Alabama, and earned his pilot’s wings at Spence Field in Georgia.

On September 28, 1943, First Lieutenant Stegna was piloting BT-15 aircraft No. 42-41503 when it crashed near Portia in Randolph County, Arkansas. He lost his life only eight days before his 25th birthday.

Francis was laid to rest in Youngstown, Ohio.

We honor his name. We remember his face. We preserve his story.

🇺🇸 First Lieutenant Francis Daniel Stegna
October 6, 1918 – September 28, 1943