GROVE CITY, Pa. – Author Jane Gardner Birch will sign copies of her award-winning book “They Flew Proud” from 2 to 4 p.m. May 2 at the new Grove City College downtown store, Crimson Connection.

“They Flew Proud” details the Civilian Pilot Training Program, which found its wings at the former Grove City Airport and at Grove City College. It is a personal and factual look into the program, for which her father, Gardner Birch, was an instructor. Through stories of other instructors and fledgling pilots that learned about life, love and liftoff through the program, Birch captures one of the often forgotten pieces of World War II history.

Copies of “They Flew Proud” are available at Crimson Connection, 231 S. Broad St., Grove City. Published by Evangel Press, it is also available by calling (800) 253-9315, extension 239, or visiting www.theyflewproud.com.

On May 3, Birch will be at the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Oakley Kelly Day at the Grove City Airport from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Several of the Board Pilots mentioned in Birch’s book will be in attendance.

In May of 1923, Grove City native Lt. Oakley Kelly of the U.S. Army Air Corps was the first to conduct a non-stop transcontinental flight across the country. Oakley Kelly Day includes Young Eagle rides, static displays, a car cruise, food vendors, a military static display and a requested fly-by. EAA Chapter 161 is the sponsor.

Birch was recently awarded the National Aviation Hall of Fame’s 2007 Combs Gates Award for her research and writing of “They Flew Proud.” She attended the National Business Aviation Association’s 60th Annual Meeting & Convention in Atlanta on Sept. 24, where she accepted the honor and a $20,000 cash prize. The annual juried Combs Gates Award recognizes excellence in historic aviation preservation.

Grove City College President Richard G. Jewell ’67 wrote an epilogue “They Flew Proud” and Senior Director of Communications Amy Clingensmith ’96 was the book’s designer and editor.