Letter to the Editor: Thanks for Col. Furr for entertaining presentation at Quincy Country Club

It seems like every day we are infiltrated with information regarding war in the middle East and the Ukraine. How fortunate we are to have the brave men and women that make up the United States military. What a privilege it is to tuck our children and grandchildren in bed each night, under the blanket of security they provide. 

On Friday, Oct. 18, the Quincy Museum presented retired U.S. Air Force Col. Frank (Fuzzy) Furr in “Keeping America Safe at 70,000 Feet” at the Quincy Country Club. Attendees and sponsored tables of QU and QHS history students, who were treated to a plated dinner, followed by a presentation from Col. Furr, former pilot of the U-2 Dragon Lady spy plane.

You may wonder: What this topic has to do with The Quincy Museum? The Newcomb-Stillwell home was used for pilot training pre-WWII. In fact, the current museum president’s father participated in that program. 

Returning from Vietnam, Col. Furr was selected into the U-2 Dragon Lady program whose pilots flew U-2 missions worldwide collecting intelligence and performing reconnaissance missions. For more than 60 years, this program has provided military leaders with crucial intelligence to make timely decisions. Even today, a U-2 is airborne somewhere in the world 24 hours a day.

Many thanks to Col. Furr, sponsors, staff and supporters for making this a great evening. Thank you to all who attended the event and your support for the Quincy Museum, the crown jewel of the Gem City. 

Michelle Wright
Quincy, Illinois