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In a fitting tribute to a solid aeronautical legend, the Air Force unveiled a bronze statue depicting Chuck Yeager in a ceremony on August 30, 2006, at Sound Barrier Park, located near the Air Force Test Pilots School which Yeager commanded during his 33+ year distinguished Air Force career. The park had been dedicated in 1988, with the placement of a stone monument commemorating his October 14, 1947, barrier-busting flight, and is located on Yeager Boulevard, so named in 1997 at the 50th anniversary festivities of his historic flight. In the soothing shade of the large cottonwood trees of Sound Barrier Park, an assemblage of Yeager’s contemporaries and other aviation luminaries participated in a resounding tribute to the life and career of Chuck Yeager. The event was opened by a pair of F-16’s which laid down a sonic boom over the park, to the delight of approximately 200 in attendance. Maj. Gen. Curtis Bedke, commander of the Air Force Flight Test Center, fondly remarked “General Yeager inspires all of us and when he retired he didn't leave us behind. He continues as an Advisor to many commanders at Edwards AFB and we hope to have many, many, many more years of his friendship. He's been called a legend, a hero, the real deal, the most righteous of all those with the right stuff.” Gen. Yeager, looking tall and especially distinctive in his brilliant white Stetson, took the podium to thank those in attendance, the Air Force, and the statue benefactors. “I’ve received a lot of honors. The ones coming from the flight test center are the ones that really get to me,” the 83-year-old retired brigadier general said. “I want to thank Bruce Fite, who donated the statue, for his generosity. He was a Marine fighter pilot - how’s that for inter-service cooperation?” Yeager quipped. The 500-pound larger-than-life bronze statue is a finely detailed depiction of Yeager in his flight suit, holding his visored flight helmet, as he appeared ready to fly in his hay-days at Edwards. It was created by sculptor Douglas Van Howd, who worked as a White House artist in the Reagan administration and has 43 monuments to his name. | ||||
 Chuck Yeager unveils the statue at Sound Barrier Park |
 Chuck Yeager and statue in profile |
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 Chuck Yeager, Douglas Van Howd, Barron Hilton, and Bruce Fite |
 Joe Engle, and Frank Borman at the podium with Chuck Yeager |
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 Fellow test pilots Bob Hoover and John Myers with Chuck Yeager after the ceremony |
 Brig. Gen. Charles E. Yeager |
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