The decade of the 1940’s saw an increase in flight activity at Mexico Farms, with flying clubs, more and different aircraft, aircraft dealerships, and more individuals becoming interested in aviation. And then the dastardly attack on Pearl Harbor occurred which dictated rapid changes. A patriotic fever swept over the country and was strongly evident in our area. That sense of patriotism has never been eclipsed, before or since. Our young men went to war and those left behind did what they could in support of the war effort. The ‘greatest generation’ did what had to be done and for that should be remembered forever. A change in flight activity at Mexico Farms resulted, and the war spawned the beginning of the new airport on the Wiley Ford plateau. Tremendous improvements in aviation were a necessary outgrowth of the war effort. After the war the Cumberland Municipal Airport, with its paved and longer runways, fostered a new growth in aviation. Huge air shows were held, the GI Bill gave new hope to many as the nation rebuilt following the great war effort, and that subsidized training generated new pilots who were anxious to fly the newer aircraft being built.
Wings Over Cumberland 