HERITAGE MINUTE

heritageminute
  • 5.0 (2)
  • HISTORY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
HERITAGE MINUTE Podcast

Whether a statue honoring a war hero, a display of historic aircraft, important memorabilia, a person, place or event, these memorials, artifacts and people help tell the story of the Air Force Academy through the decades.

  1. "Honor Bound" A Portrait in Courage - A Heritage Minute Special

    6 DAYS AGO

    "Honor Bound" A Portrait in Courage - A Heritage Minute Special

    Heritage Minute host, Steve Simon recently welcomed Jim Nance, USAFA Class of ’71, and Captain Joe Flesher, Class of ’14 to the studio.  Jim is a renowned sculptor and created the 2,000 lb.  ”HONOR BOUND” A Portrait in Courage plaque now mounted on the east exterior wall of USAFA’s South East Asia Pavilion.  Maj. Joe Fletcher served as his model.

    18 min
  2. The Capt. Lance P. Sijan Memorial Statue

    6 DAYS AGO

    The Capt. Lance P. Sijan Memorial Statue

    The United States Air Force Academy has one graduate Medal of Honor recipient.  His name is Lance Peter Sijan, Class of 1965.

    2 min
  3. The Belk Falcon Statue

    AUG 25

    The Belk Falcon Statue

    Just outside of Falcon Stadium, on the east side, soars the largest falcon statue in the United States.  ----more---- The bronze sculpture, valued at $400,000, has a wingspan of 24 feet and weighs 10,000 pounds.  Jon Hair, the “Official Sculptor to the United States Olympic Team,” created it.  Dedicated on August 29th, 2008, the sculpture was given to the Academy by philanthropist Irwin “Ike” Belk, who was present at the dedication.  He commissioned the statue “to honor United States Air Force Academy graduates for their selfless service to our nation.”  Belk, who passed away in 2018, served in the intelligence career field in Europe during World War II as a member of the famed Eighth Air Force.  After the war, he became a Belk Department Store executive.  He funded similar giant mascots at more than 40 other colleges and universities, many in his native North Carolina.     The Heritage Minute Channel is a production of the Long Blue Line Podcast Network and presented by the U.S. Airforce Academy Association and Foundation

    2 min
  4. The Commander in Chief's Trophy

    AUG 18

    The Commander in Chief's Trophy

    In the “old” days, (the fifties, sixties and early seventies), Army and Navy were afraid to play the Falcons in Colorado – something about the altitude.  ----more---- Games were played in New York City, Chicago, Washington D.C, and Baltimore, among other places, but not until 1966 did Navy venture out here, followed by Army the following year.  Neither was eager to return.  Former Air Force Academy Athletic Director George Simler conceived a way to get them into Falcon Stadium regularly – the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy.  Begun in 1972, the annual round-robin tournament sees the three schools vie for football supremacy, with the winner earning the Commander-in Chief's Trophy and, frequently, a trip to the White House to meet the actual commander-in-chief, the President of the United States.  Air Force was a little slow on the uptake, not winning the trophy outright until 1982, but we currently hold the overall lead, with 20 victories.  Navy has secured the Trophy 15 times and Army 8.  The three schools’ alumni associations jointly sponsor the Trophy.  Go Air Force!       The Heritage Minute Channel is a production of the Long Blue Line Podcast Network and presented by the U.S. Airforce Academy Association and Foundation

    1 min
  5. Game Day 1962 - Falcon Stadium Events

    AUG 11

    Game Day 1962 - Falcon Stadium Events

    The Air Force Academy’s Falcon Stadium has played host to countless significant events since its opening in 1962.  The first event was, appropriately, a football game.  ----more---- Cadet and later four-star general John Lorber, Class of ’64, scored the first touchdown in the 34-0 win over in-state rival Colorado State.  Navy first played here in 1966, while Army made its initial visit a year later, in 1967.  Other gridiron highlights include 1985’s fourth consecutive victory over Notre Dame, a game that turned on a blocked field goal returned for a touchdown, and the 1997 win over San Diego State that marked the first overtime game in NCAA history to end on a defensive score.  The stadium has hosted every Air Force Academy graduation since 1963, when President John F. Kennedy spoke and presented diplomas.  That was the first of eleven Presidential visits for graduation so far.  The stadium has also hosted many other events in its illustrious history.  Entertainer Bob Hope filmed a television special in the stadium in 1980 that featured Diana Ross of the Supremes.  More recently, the stadium played host to concerts featuring the likes of Tim McGraw, the rock band Train, and Blake Shelton.  Jon Stewart emceed and Kelly Clarkson sang at the Opening Ceremonies of the Warrior Games here in 2018.  In February 2020, Falcon Stadium will play host to the National Hockey League game between the Colorado Avalanche and the Los Angeles Kings.     The Heritage Minute Channel is a production of the Long Blue Line Podcast Network and presented by the U.S. Airforce Academy Association and Foundation

    2 min
  6. Falcon Stadium - Home of the Fighting Falcons

    AUG 4

    Falcon Stadium - Home of the Fighting Falcons

    Falcon Stadium, home of the Air Force Fighting Falcons, has a rich history.  Plans for the facility date back to 1955, the year the first cadets reported to the Academy’s temporary home at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver.  ----more---- Rather than build the stadium near the Cadet Area, designers chose a natural bowl approximately two miles southeast of the campus.  The Air Force Academy Foundation provided the funding for the $3.5 million facility.  Groundbreaking took place in October 1960, and less than two years later, the stadium was ready for action.  On September 22nd, 1962, the first football game was played, a 34-0 victory over Colorado State in front of more than 41,000 fans.  A month later, actor and Air Force Reserve Brigadier General Jimmy Stewart emceed the official dedication, an event that also saw the Air Force Thunderbirds make their first Falcon Stadium appearance.  The first graduation in the stadium took place in 1963, with President John F. Kennedy the guest speaker.  Every Air Force Academy graduation since has been held here.  The first night game in Falcon Stadium was played in 1989, using rented lights.  The stadium was fitted with permanent lights three years later.  Four years after that, in 2006, artificial turf was installed.  The press box and the scoreboards have received multiple expansions and upgrades.  At 6,621 feet above sea level, Falcon Stadium is the second highest facility in major college football, with only our northern neighbor, fellow Mountain West Conference-member Wyoming having a stadium at a higher altitude.  In addition to football and graduation, Falcon Stadium has played host to concerts and special events, and is home to Falcon lacrosse.     The Heritage Minute Channel is a production of the Long Blue Line Podcast Network and presented by the U.S. Airforce Academy Association and Foundation

    2 min
  7. Things you Might not Know About Jimmy Doolittle - A Heritage Minute Special

    AUG 4

    Things you Might not Know About Jimmy Doolittle - A Heritage Minute Special

    Things you might not know about Jimmy Doolittle.

    20 min
  8. USAFA's Spaces for Buddhists and Other Faiths

    JUL 28

    USAFA's Spaces for Buddhists and Other Faiths

    The Cadet Chapel and surrounding areas provide worship spaces to accommodate virtually every cadet interest.

    2 min
See All (33)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Whether a statue honoring a war hero, a display of historic aircraft, important memorabilia, a person, place or event, these memorials, artifacts and people help tell the story of the Air Force Academy through the decades.

Information

  • Creator
    heritageminute
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    33
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024-2025 | U.S. Air Force Academy Association and Foundation | All Rights Reserved
  • Show Website
    HERITAGE MINUTE

You Might Also Like

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada