What began as a grassroots effort to warm soldiers during the Civil War has become a way of expressing the gratitude of a nation for soldiers fallen in wartime. During the American Civil War, quilts sewn on the home front served as bedrolls and hospital blankets and offered a measure of comfort to those far away from their loved ones. In that tradition, the "Home of the Brave Quilt Project" volunteers hand sew and present a homemade quilt to the family of every soldier who has died in the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

On May 26th, volunteers first brought their Hawaii quilts to the Pacific Aviation Museum and encouraged all visitors to sign their names and write messages of hope and comfort to the families of Hawaii's fallen sons and daughters. Since response was so positive, the project is returning to the Museum. No reservations are needed and all visitors to the museum are welcome to participate.

The museum is expanding. The F-14 Tomcat, popularized in the movie, "Top Gun", will be part of the new exhibits that will be displayed in the Pacific Aviation Museum. The last U.S. Navy Grumman F-14 Tomcat to fly in service arrived June 27, 2008 and will be housed in the Hanger 79, now under renovation. The museum is undertaking a $100 million capital campaign in it's Phase II expansion that includes renovating historic Hanger 54, as well as the red and white icon Control Tower.

The Pacific Aviation Museum is open 9 am to 5 pm daily and is accessed by shuttles from the USS Bowfin Submarine Park at Pearl Harbor. General admission: $14, adults; $7, children. Kama`aina and Military admission: $10 adults; $5, children. Admission is free to Museum members. Pacific Aviation Museum is located at 319 Lexington Boulevard in Hangar 37 on Ford Island at Pearl Harbor. More information is available by phone at 441-1000 or check out their website: PacificAviationMuseum.org.

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