Armed Forces Day Fly-in Happening Saturday
Event at Majors Field Showcases Warbirds and Military Aviation History
The City of Greenville is inviting the community to step back in time and experience aviation history up close at the Armed Forces Day Fly-In and Historic Aircraft Show, taking place Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Majors Field.
This free, family-friendly event will feature a collection of legendary warbirds, classic aircraft and historic planes on display, along with airplane rides, food trucks, activities for children and the Commemorative Air Force’s “Rise Above” mobile theater exhibit.
Majors Field has a long connection to American military aviation. It served as a flight training center during World War II and has continued to have a close connection to military operations through modern times. L3 Harris continues to be the primary tenant at the airport and performs maintenance and systems work for a wide range of military and government aircraft.
The CAF Rise Above Exhibit is currently stationed at the Majors Field Terminal and will remain onsite through the Fly-In. The immersive exhibit shares powerful stories of resilience and courage, offering an inspiring experience for visitors of all ages.
Additional family-friendly activities during the Fly-In include the Paint-a-Plane Art Contest, where participants can compete for prizes.
The event will also mark a historic milestone for more than 20 sea cadets from the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps George H.W. Bush Squadron, who will participate in their first Chief Petty Officer pinning ceremony at 10 a.m.
The pinning represents the culmination of years of training for these young sailors, marking their achievement of the highest rank available in the program. Chief petty officer is the top rank a participant can achieve during their tenure with the national program that serves students from fifth through 12th grade.
Retired Rear Adm. Doug Beal will officiate the ceremony. During his naval career, the retired pilot accumulated 3,844 military flight hours, 55 combat sorties and 472 carrier-arrested landings.
The ceremony will also honor 101-year-old Johnny Rothfus, a highly decorated World War II veteran from Celina, Texas. Rothfus served as a staff sergeant and tail gunner on a B-24 Liberator with the 98th Bomb Group, flying dangerous missions over occupied Europe from Foggia Air Base in Italy.
After the war, he continued his service to community as a Dallas firefighter.
Sea cadets will open the day’s festivities with a flag-raising ceremony at 9 a.m., setting the stage for their historic achievement an hour later.
The Armed Forces Day Fly-In celebrates the legacy of military aviation while bringing the community together for a day of education, entertainment and appreciation for those who have served.
For more information, visit greenvilleflyin.org or call the Greenville Municipal Airport at 903-457-3168.