(KAIR)--The annual celebration of Atchison's International Forest of Friendship is set for this weekend, including the induction of 5 honorees into Forest's sidewalks, all representing contributions to aviation and aerospace.

According to a release, the celebration's 2024 theme is "Security and Solace through Flight," which is intended to emphasize "contributions by military aviators, organizations like Angel Flight and flying doctors, and the aerial delivery of medicines."

Named as 2024's distinguished honoree, and keynote speaker at Saturday's celebration luncheon, is Retired General Glen VanHerck, USAF, who served in the U.S. Air Force for nearly 37 years with multiple assignments spanning fighter, bomber, and training operations including serving as a USAF Weapons School Instructor in the F-15C and the B-2A.

The weekend celebration of the Forest of Friendship begins Friday evening with a Cocktail Party on the lawn of the Amelia Earhart Birthplace, leading up to numerous festivities planned for Saturday morning. Among them is the annual Parade of Flags, at 9:45, with the release explaining that nearly 100 flags will fly to recognize the fifty states of the U.S. and the 36 countries where there are members of the Ninety-Nines, an international organization of licensed women pilots. Children of all ages are welcome to carry a flag in the parade, with registration beginning Saturday morning at 8:45, at the entrance to the forest. The parade will be led by Smokey the Bear, who will be available for pictures.

At 10:00 Saturday morning, the 5 honorees will be inducted into the Forest of Friendship, followed by the annual luncheon. Reservations are required for the luncheon, as well as Friday evening's cocktail party.

Along with the parade and induction, at the forest Saturday, other children's activities will also be held that morning, scattered throughout the Forest of Friendship until 11:15.

The International Forest of Friendship, located near Atchison's Warnock Lake, was founded in 1976, as part of the nation- bicentennial celebration, with work having begun on the idea in 1973 by Fay Gillis Wells, then Chair of the Ninety-Nines International Organization of Women Pilots.