Saw this on the Memphis Belle Website:
UPDATE ON DISPOSITION OF MEMPHIS BELLE
December 1, 2004
The Honorable Marsha Blackburn, Representative of the 7th Congressional District, visited with our President, Andrew Pouncey, on the disposition of the “Memphis Belle”. He also spoke with her Chief of Staff, Steve Brophy, who has been deeply involved with this issue.
In summary, soon after the Tennessee Congressional Delegation (Blackburn / Ford / Tanner) was notified of the Air Force’s action, they requested a meeting with the Air Force and Richard Anderegg, Air Force Historian, who was asked to defend the action of the Air Force and the removal of the airplane to Dayton, Ohio. The delegation then registered their displeasure. Next, they required that the Air Force perform an “Analysis of Alternatives”. Keeping the plane in a museum in Memphis would be considered as one of the alternatives. The House driven request to meet with answers on November 8th and then the 10th was postponed indefinitely by the Air Force.
With no response from the Air Force, the House delegation moved the issue up to the Secretary of Defense. They are currently working the issue to create conversations between the Department of Defense and the Air Force.
Andrew explained that the MBMA had not heard from our legislators nor the Air Force and were concerned that the Air Force may wait until the legislators go on Christmas break to come for the airplane. Representative Blackburn assured him that that would not happen, and underscored the fact that the House delegation was doing due diligence in resolving this issue through various channels.
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Will be interesting to seeing what happens in the next couple months.
Shay
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