The "J.T. Vida Memorial Fund"

Script on the photograph reads: JT Vida and I felt extremely fortunate to fly the SR-71 Blackbird on its record flight to the Smithsonian Institution. Fantastic aircraft! And JT was an outstanding aviator likes and admired by all. We miss him tremendously. Sincerly, Ed Yielding, Pilot, "Coast-to-Coast" Aircraft Speed Record 67 minutes 54 seconds, March 6, 1990. (The image above and this link opens a "target page" that will down load a 128K size image that is 620x407 pixels.)

   On March 6, 1990, Lt. Cols. Ed Yielding and Joe "J.T." Vida flew Blackbird '972' on its final flight to Dulles International Airport. As they flew across the United States, they set a world's record from the west coast to the east coast in only 67 minutes, 54 seconds and turned the aircraft over the National Air and Space Museum. The Blackbird will be on display when the new museum is completed in the year 2002 and will be the premier display aircraft.
   The "J.T. Vida Memorial Fund" was established for the purpose of providing proper storage, preservation, and display of the SR-71 Blackbird at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum.
   I set up the "J.T. Vida Memorial Fund" in his name for many reasons. J.T. was probably our most highly respected and admired SR-71 crew member of my generation. He was a selfless 'Habu' who never wanted to take credit or be in the limelight. J.T. always had a spark in his eyes that made you feel good just to be around him. This 'Habu' had a proud spirit when it came to the SR-71, always willing to do anything to perpetuate the program. Anytime a snide remark or joke was made about the SR-71 by other flying squadrons, you had to make sure J.T. did not hear...he would defend the Blackbird to his death.

   After a long and courageous bout with cancer, J.T. passed away in September of 1992. I dedicated my book, SR-71 REVEALED, THE INSIDE STORY, to a 'Habu' who made a difference. J.T. arrived at Beale AFB, California, home of the SR-71s, in August of 1974 and was crewed up with his pilot, Tom Alison. Over the next six years they flew operational reconnaissance sorties all around the globe. When J.T. saw his days of flying the Blackbird getting slimmer, his love and passion for the program drove him to volunteer for the Flight Test position at Palmdale. In the summer of 1980 he began flying SR-71 test missions and soon became Chief of the SR-71 Flight Test Division.
   J.T. set several records that will never be broken. He flew the SR-71 for 16 continuous years in the Air Force and ended up with 1,392.7 hours in the plane . . . a feat that can never be challenged. In making his total commitment to the SR-71 program, J.T. knowingly sacrificed promotion to full colonel, placing the program above his own personal gain.

(The image above opens a "target page" that will down load a 103K size image that is 620x434 pixels. This could take a number of minutes.)

>   All the royalties from the sale of my book go to the "J.T. Vida Memorial Fund" and thus far have accumulated $7,000. If anyone would like to contribute towards the restoration of Blackbird '972' for the rest of the world to see, all donations to the Fund are tax deductible. So, if you are looking for a year-end tax deduction this might just fit your needs. I cannot promise, but am hoping to be able to have a list of contributors to the Fund displayed somewhere in the vicinity of the plane, along with the pressure suit and other SR-71 equipment. If you would like to contribute to the Fund here is what you need to do.

MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: National Air and Space Museum

BE SURE TO INDICATE ON THE CHECK: For the "J.T. Vida Memorial Fund"

SEND CHECK TO:

National Air and Space Museum
Smithsonian Institution
ATTN: Anne Seeger, Development Director
Independence Ave. at Sixth St. S.W.
Room 3729, MRC 321
Washington, D.C. 20560

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This page was last updated by the WebMeister on 21 October 1998, and all contents are strictly copyrighted to the WebMeister, Snow Leopard Productions, and the BSW Group of companies.