2003 Wright Flyer replica reenactment attempt. Photo by S. Lewis.

In 1903 Orville and Wilbur Wright, bicycle mechanics from Dayton, Ohio, came to the sparsely populated area of the Outer Banks of North Carolina known as Kitty Hawk. The Wrights were dreamers, experimentalists - coming to this desolate, wind-driven area to build and test their “flying machine.” Appearing as businessmen, dressed in their suits and derbies, they were quite an enigma to the local fishermen and members of the U. S. Life Saving Service

On Thursday, December 17, with winds blowing in excess of 20 miles per hour the Wright brothers and others moved the “Wright Flyer” into position. Due to high wind, pilot Orville Wright, had difficulty controlling the machine.

The flyer rose and flew an amazing 120 feet in approximately 12 seconds. “The first (time) in the history of the world in which a machine carrying a man had raised itself by its own power into the air in full flight, had sailed forward without reduction of speed, and had finally landed at a point as high as that from which it started,” said Orville.

Auxiliarists in action. Photo by D. Burns..

Many significant aviation events have occurred since Orville’s flight; Charles Lindbergh’s transatlantic flight in 1927; the first transatlantic air service in 1939; Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier in 1947; the Soviet Union launched “Sputnik” the first satellite in 1957; Neil Armstrong was the first human to set foot on the moon in 1969; the space shuttle Columbia became the first reusable spacecraft; and in 1998 construction of the International Space Station began.

On December 17, 2003 intermittent downpours and 50 degree temperatures did not dampen the spirits of the Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliarists who volunteered to work alongside other agencies to provide security for the First Flight Centennial in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina.

After much anticipation, the great event finally arrived. Enthusiasm was rampant among the working volunteers, the performers and the visiting public. In attendance were many aviation VIPs including President George W. Bush who arrived by helicopter and delivered a thirteen minute speech.

A request for volunteers came from Petty Officer Justin Schnute of Coast Guard Station Oregon Inlet. Auxiliarists from Outer Banks Flotilla 16-7 jumped at the opportunity to assist in this most important event.

The day before the beginning of the event several hundred volunteers attended an all-day security training class. It would be our function to man the gates for the anticipated 35,000 visitors in a safe, orderly manner and to ensure no restricted items entered the premises.

Crowds at Wright Memorial. Photo by D. Burns.

Auxiliarists were briefed on metal detection procedures and the five jobs we were to fill. The first job was that of the “greeter.” This Auxiliarist would welcome approaching patrons and direct them to the shortest line. The next Auxiliarist job was to be a “pacer.” This person had the responsibility to allow access to the magnetic detector once the “mag operator” indicated all it was clear for the next person to come through.

The next job was that of “mag operator.” This person monitored the audio tones and visual lights on the scanner as a patron would walk through. The fourth job was the was that of a “wander.” The “wander’s” responsibility was to use a hand wand to inspect the patron if they did not come “cleanly” through the metal detector.

The fifth and final position in line was the “bag inspector” whose responsibility was to feel for unusual weight in bags, review contents of all bags, and to ask about any object that may not seem ordinary. National Park Service employees acted as “supervisors” and were available to answer any questions or handle any difficult situations.

After our shifts were completed we were allowed complete access to the park to enjoy the air shows, explore the exhibits, and attend the numerous concerts that were available.

Original Wright Flyer 1903, courtesy of Wright State University.

Once inside the Wright Memorial patrons and guests had available many exhibits to view and interactive activities to keep them busy.

In the waters nearby the Wright Memorial other Coast Guard Auxiliarists were patrolling in their facilities. Their responsibilities included crowd control and, if the need arose, provide rescue facilities to boaters in need.. There were two boats on patrol, eight hours daily, during the entire event,

One hundred years ago the U. S. Life Saving Station crew in Kitty Hawk assisted the Wright brothers in their experiments. They provided manpower to assist and they photographed the world-changing first flight. The Wright’s sent the news home via telegraph from the Kitty Hawk Life Saving station.

Once again, the Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary were there to assist. They provided nearly 1,200 volunteer man hours, securing the safety of the patrons who attended the First Flight Centennial. It was an honor and pleasure to be a part of the one hundred year celebration of flight.

Drew Wilson of the Virginian Pilot newspaper was very generous in offering us photos to include in the article.

President Bush and John Travolta.

President Bush delivering speech.

President entering stage in the rain. President George W. Bush. Senator John Glenn, one of the aviation honorees. Wright Memorial during the First Flight Centennial. Photo by S. Lewis.