Marking the spot

Eighty years ago, Curtiss Airfield opened its runways for some of the greatest pilots of the last century to take flight. Last Saturday, about 50 people braved the cold at the site of the former airport — where the Green Acres mall now sits — to witness the unveiling of the historical landmarker in front of Home Depot.

The former airport site was recently recognized as a historical landmark by the Town of Hempstead’s Landmarks Preservation Committee. “This is so much the fabric of Long Island history,” Town Supervisor Kate Murray said. “I’m proud to be a part of this small celebration.”

Guy Ferrara, president of the Valley Stream Historical Society, said he researched the history of the airport for three years, collecting information to prove the airport’s historical significance to the town’s preservation committee. “This sign honors all the pilots and the warriors who gave their lives for freedom,” Ferrara said. “You are on sacred ground.”

He added that he spoke with witnesses who watched Lindbergh fly out of Curtiss Airfield, spent 12 hours looking through microfilm at the village library and even tracked down Elinor Smith, one of the original members of the Ninety Nines — the first chartered group of licensed women pilots, which formed at Curtiss Airfield in 1929. Amelia Earhart was the group’s first president.

The South High School band played the Air Force song during the ceremony, and the fire department lent its color guard for the celebration.

Milton Sable, 84, has lived in Valley Stream his entire life, and recalled storing his plane at Curtiss Airfield. The Central High graduate remembered the good times he had at the former airport. “I used to watch the airplane shows here in sixth grade,” Sable said. “I had a few tears in my eyes during this ceremony.”

Professor Paul Van Wie, of the Town of Hempstead Landmarks Preservation Committee, said that Curtiss Airfield was an important site in American history. It served as a place for thousands to gather for air shows, he said, and was used as the home base for the Columbia Aircraft Corporation during World War II. The Columbia Aircraft Corporation built 330 J2F6 Grumman Ducks, which were used to rescue downed pilots in the Pacific Ocean during the war.

Ferrara and other officials noted that Home Depot has been very cooperative throughout the whole process, even making preparations to host the ceremony indoors in case of rain.

Manager of Home Depot, Jeff Kuhr, said his employer was proud to be part of the ceremony and share in the celebration of the history of Curtiss Airfield. “It was very important that we preserved it,” Kuhr said of the Home Depot, which was modeled in the likeness of the airport’s hangars. “It’s important to be a part of the community, its heritage, and what people did here 80 years ago. We want to stay a part of this community.”