Topeka Presbyterian Manor
Memorial Day – More than just the unofficial start of summer MAY 2023
Resident Tom Rose had quite a career in aviation! Topeka Presbyterian Manor resident Tom Rose was known to service aircraft owned by the likes Frank Sinatra and Danny Kaye during his days at Leer Jet. While that may seem impressive, it’s far from his biggest accomplishment. “When I retired, I set to work building an airplane in my garage,” he said. “It was the first home-built plane to fly in Kansas and the most successful model of home-built airplanes in history.” The low wing, single engine, tip up canopy, two passenger plane is still a sense of pride for Rose, formerly of Halstead, Kansas. It was, in many ways, the culmination of a life spent in aviation. “I joined the Air National Guard at 17,” he recalled. “I finished high school with the Guard, then went into the Air Force in 1957.”
For many of us, Memorial Day means a fun three-day weekend to celebrate the unofficial beginning of summer. But at heart, Memorial Day is a somber day to honor and remember those who died fighting for their country. Memorial Day used to be known as Decoration Day – it was established in 1868, three years after the end of the Civil War, with the purpose of having people place flowers on the graves of family members and friends who died during the war. Decoration Day gradually became Memorial Day. At first, it only recognized fallen solders of the Civil
Rose met his wife, Carol, during that period and after getting out of the Air Force in 1962 he worked on large propeller airplanes, including the B-29. He eventually got both his pilot’s license and his mechanics license and eventually
Tom Rose built this two-passenger plane in his garage.
Tom Rose -continued on page 3
John A. Logan - Major John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic declared May 30, 1868 as Decoration Day which eventually became Memorial Day. The first national celebration took place at Arlington National Cemetery where both Confederate and Union soldiers were buried.
Memorial Day
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