Peter Donnelly of Garden City will present the Cradle of Aviation with a United States flag that he personally flew over the Pentagon and the World Trade Center after the September 11th attacks. Donnelly flew the flag over Iraq and Afghanistan while serving with the Second Air Refueling Squadron during Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and Noble Eagle. Lt. Donnelly will present the historic flag in a ceremony to be held at the Cradle of Aviation at noon this Saturday, Aug. 7.

"I am pleased to share this proud symbol of America with the Cradle of Aviation and the people of Long Island," Donnelly said. "It was at the Cradle that I first developed an appreciation of the incredible tradition, accomplishment and contribution of the Air Force to our nation's heritage."

As a teenager, Donnelly developed his passion for flight by volunteering at the Cradle of Aviation, first serving a three year stint as a museum tour guide, and then as a Cradle employee helping to restore aircraft, including the A-10 Thunderbolt II and F-14 Tomcat. Lieutenant Donnelly first took flying lessons at the age of 12 at Republic Airport in Farmingdale.

"I am proud that Peter's experience at the Cradle contributed to his lifelong commitment to aviation," Claudia Oakes, COO of the Cradle of Aviation Museum, said. "His dedication to country and love of flying shows how the Cradle of Aviation not only documents history, by preserving Long Island's contribution to aviation, but also inspires our youth to continue to make history by pursuing a career with our military."

Among those attending the celebration will be 20 members of the Second Air Refueling Squadron, Lt. Donnelly's unit at McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey. The museum is located on Charles Lindbergh Blvd. in Garden City, adjacent to Nassau Community College. For further information, visit www.cradleofaviation.org.