WASHINGTON (States News Service) – When seven-year-old Stephen Udvar-Hazy first laid eyes on an airplane, a MIG-22 at an airfield outside of Budapest, flying became not only his lifelong passion, but a symbol of freedom.
"I grew up in Eastern Europe, where we lacked hope, trapped like prisoners by communism under Stalin," recalled the Hungarian immigrant, now 53 and president of a California aircraft leasing company.
From the tyke’s point of view, the Cold War-era Russian fighter craft signified escape from the oppression of his surroundings.
Today, the adult Udvar-Hazy feels it "is time to give back to America," and to aviation as well. To that end, he has given $60 million to Washington’s Smithsonian Air and Space Museum — its largest donation ever.
"I hope this gift will inspire, motivate and educate," the visibly moved Hazy told a crowd at a ceremony Thursday at the Air and Space Museum.
Still a child when he arrived in the United States, Hazy grew impassioned over all things related to flying. While other boys collected baseball cards, Hazy perused flight schedules.
"Aviation has made the world smaller, and is the lifeblood for intercommunication," said the avid pilot with over 6,000 hours flying time. "It has allowed us to explore new frontiers and technologies."
His donation will go towards a new annex for the museum at Dulles Airport in Virginia, which will house over 180 new aircraft for display, including the Space Shuttle Enterprise.
advertisement
