(KAIR)--46-years will be commemorated as Atchison’s International Forest of Friendship holds it’s annual celebration this coming weekend.

Included among the activities, following Friday night’s Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum cocktail party, will be Saturday morning’s Parade of Flags and the induction of honorees for 2021 and 2022.

That will take place at the Forest of Friendship, described by its website as “a living growing memorial to the world history of aviation and aerospace.”
The forest was presented in 1976 as a gift to America on the nation’s 200th birthday.

The gift came through the City of Atchison, the birthplace home of famed aviator Amelia Earhart, the Ninety-Nines International Organization of Women Pilots and Kansas State University’s Kansas Forest Service.

On Saturday, local children are again invited to take part in the Parade of Flags, which is held each September at the Forest, which includes trees representing all 50 states and 35 countries.

This year, the parade will be led by the flag of Jamaica, the newest flag in the Forest, with Jamaica joining the 35 other countries represented, all with chapters or members of the Ninety-Nines, whose motto is, “World Friendship Through Flying.”

Children wishing to take part in the Parade of Flags should register at the Forest’s entrance by 9:20 that morning.

Following the parade, the annual induction ceremony will begin at 10:00. Thirty-two honorees, all contributing in some way to aviation and aerospace, will be added to the Forest.

Among this year’s honorees is Captain Brian Schiff, who will serve as distinguished speaker at the 2022 Luncheon at the McAllister Board Room at Benedictine College.

Tickets are required and can be obtained by calling 913-367-1419.

All inductees are sponsored by chapters of the Ninety-Nines, or by individuals or families.

Schiff is sponsored by the Ventura County Ninety-Nines, while the Forest of Friendship Board of Directors is sponsoring a local inductee, Atchison attorney Leonard Buddenbohm. A 43-year volunteer with the Forest, Buddenbohm now serves as Vice-President and Co-Chairman for the board.

Representing Jamaica is 2022 inductee Maria Ziadie Haddad, an active member of the Ninety-Nines International, the International Society of Women Airline Pilots, and Women in Aviation International.