Miami County aviation pioneers cast in bronze

Astronaut Nancy Currie-Gregg returned to her hometown, where she was honored Tuesday as one of three Miami County aviation pioneers.

The ceremony at the pavilion on North Market Street began with a fly-over by a Waco plane — fitting because a co-founder of Waco, Clayton Brukner, was one of the three honorees.

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The third was Robert N. Hartzell, founder of Hartzell Walnut Propeller Co. of Piqua. He was encouraged by the Wright Brothers to design and manufacture propellers for them.

Brukner and Hartzell, both deceased, are members of the National Aviation Hall of Fame.

Credit: STEVE BAKER / STAFF

Credit: STEVE BAKER / STAFF

Currie-Gregg, a Troy High School graduate, flew on four shuttle missions, accruing 1,000 hours in space. She thanked several of her high school teachers along with her late parents, especially her dad who was her biggest fan.

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She brought home to Troy as message to young people, a hope that the installation serves as an inspiration for future generations to achieve and excel.

The project was funded by the Alcorn Society of the Troy Foundation.

The three bronze statues of Brunkner, Currie-Gregg and Hartzell were created by sculptor Mike Major of Urbana.

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