Mars Society is casting its vote for Wright brothers and Dayton

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5:32 PM Friday, June 11, 2010

Re “Wrights wouldn’t want D.C. statues,” June 8: While I agree with the letter writer that Ulysses Grant might be the person who could get the job done in the Gulf War, I wholeheartedly believe it is the Wright brothers who belong in Statuary Hall representing Ohio.

Maybe the professional societies at the time failed to recognize Orville and Wilbur, but respect for their contribution continues to grow among aerospace engineers.

So much so that the Mars Society, an international organization made up of engineers and space buffs who advocate a human mission to Mars, is planning to hold its annual convention in Dayton (Aug. 5-8) as a means of paying homage to the Wright brothers’ significant contribution.

This is a first for Dayton, as well as Ohio, as previous conventions have been in Toronto, Colorado and various cities on both the East Coast and West Coast.

The bottom of the convention’s official poster shows the Wright Flyer traveling slightly above the Earth, and at the top, a landing vehicle touching Mars.

It would be hard to miss the message that the Mars landing would not be taking place without the contribution of the Wright brothers.

Grant’s contribution is over, but Orville and Wilbur Wright’s contribution continues to grow and blossom.

Ann Black

Sharonville

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