As Freedom Plane comes to WWI Museum, celebrate Kansas City aviation history | Opinion

The United States is commemorating its 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence this year. Celebratory events will take place nationwide and honor all the different aspects of American life that have built our country into what it is today.

Aerospace innovation is one of the cornerstones of our national history. From the Americans who made the dream of flight a reality to those who built the parts and technologies to develop and sustain it, our country wouldn’t be what it is without aerospace.

As president of Brunson Instrument Company, a Kansas City manufacturer serving commercial and military aircraft builders, I share this from both a business and personal perspective shaped by decades in aerospace manufacturing. For me, this anniversary is a meaningful opportunity to highlight Kansas City’s role in shaping American aviation history.

The Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport, which was originally called the Kansas City Municipal Airport, opened for both commercial and private service in 1927. It grew to become a vital asset for early airmail services as well as passenger airlines as the industry matured.

Kansas City is also known for Trans World Airlines, which established a prominent maintenance base in the city in the early 1930s. The airline became famous for international routes and was a significant contributor to the jet age. In the early 2000s, TWA was acquired by American Airlines, but its history as an early leader in aviation and passenger travel is an undeniable credit to Kansas City.

At Brunson Instrument Company, we’re proud to be part of Kansas City’s rich aviation history. We began as a one-man repair shop in downtown Kansas City in 1927. Since then, we’ve grown to more than 50 employees serving aircraft, aerospace and many other industries globally. We manufacture portable, high-precision, large-scale measurement and alignment products for aircraft manufacturers. Our products serve commercial and military aviation and are used for new planes as well as maintenance and repairs. As technology and the needs of the aerospace industry have evolved, so has our business. Like so many other great aviation companies in Kansas City, we are rewarded to celebrate our past as we build upon it to meet the needs of today and tomorrow.

With so much to celebrate in Kansas City, it’s no wonder that the Freedom Plane is making its first stop here as part of its American tour.

The Freedom Plane is a National Archives traveling exhibition that will bring nine original founding-era documents to eight cities throughout the country to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary. Its journey is inspired by the Bicentennial Freedom Train, and its purpose is to make documents fundamental to America’s founding accessible to citizens across the country. It will be in Kansas City from March 6-22 at the National WWI Museum and Memorial.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime event that celebrates the people, places and industries that have made our nation what it is today. Further, by bringing people together from all aspects of American life, it also will help us look forward toward what our country can become through continued hard work, cooperation and innovation.

Steven Breid is president of Brunson Instrument Company, a 100% employee-owned company in Kansas City.