PRESS RELEASE: April 9, 2026
American Mural Project to Present Two High-Flying Events with Stealth Pilot Colonel Alton Whitley for Memorial Day Weekend
May 23 Family Event and AMP Talk to Feature Decorated Vietnam and Desert Storm U.S. Air Force Veteran
April 9, 2026/Winsted, CT... American Mural Project (AMP) announced today two events featuring Colonel Alton Whitley, the first operational pilot to fly the legendary Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk a.k.a. the first combat aircraft to feature stealth technology. AMP guests will have an opportunity to meet and ask questions of a decorated combat U.S. Air Force veteran who has flown missions in Vietnam, Thailand, and Kuwait.
Syncing with Memorial Day Weekend, there will be two events on offer on Saturday, May 23: Family Flight Lab filled with fun, interactive activities for all ages and an evening AMP Talk moderated by World Affairs Council of Connecticut's Megan Torrey. This program is presented in collaboration with the New England Air Museum.
About Colonel Alton Whitley, USAF (Ret)
As she began conceiving her mural, AMP Founder Ellen Griesedieck knew she wanted to include a military worker; she just needed the right subject. After reading about an extraordinary fighter pilot who was the first operational pilot to fly the top secret Lockheed F-117A Nighthawk, Ellen went on her own reconnaissance mission: find Colonel Alton “Al” Whitley. Like anyone in the path of Whitley’s stealth fighter, the U.S. Air Force veteran didn’t know what was about to hit him. When the two met, she knew she found the perfect addition to her vision!
For the first time, Col. Whitley will be appearing at AMP to discuss his storied career leading dangerous combat missions in Vietnam and Thailand, as well as flying the first plane with stealth technology during Operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield. Over his storied twenty six-year career in the U.S. Air Force, he has led squadrons while piloting the F-100 Super Sabre, the A-713 Corsair, F-117A Nighthawk, A-7 Corsair II, FS-E Aggressor, and the A-10 Thunderbolt II. Due to his courage in battle and exceptional leadership qualities, Al has received many top military honors including the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Kuwait Liberation Medal. After his retirement from active duty, Al has dedicated his life to education serving as the Director of the Air Force Junior ROTC program, and as an Aerospace Science Instructor for high school students.
THE EVENTS
Family Flight Lab
Saturday, May 23 | 10am-3pm
Admission: $15 adults/$5 for children 18 & under/$12 seniors and veterans
Prepare for takeoff! Kids (and their adult co-pilots) will spread their wings and hit the heights at AMP’s first-ever Family Flight Lab! This day will feature interactive experiences that will simulate flight, fun art projects, and the opportunity to meet a real U.S. Air Force fighter pilot. With our sky-high mural as a backdrop, this exciting event will have your imagination soaring!
Break the fun barrier with a pilot helmet exhibit, photo ops, food trucks, tours of the mural, and more. A highlight certain to accelerate the afternoon is a paper airplane contest where guests design and decorate their own paper airplanes. At 1pm, we’ll let them fly with prizes in various categories. Take your pilot training up a notch with a virtual reality flight simulator from New England Air Museum for a modest additional charge.
12pm - Meet the Pilot!
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for kids to meet a real-life Air Force fighter pilot! Colonel Alton Whitley (please call him “Al”) is a decorated veteran who served during the Vietnam War, took command of the 37th Fighter Wing, and deployed for Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He will tell you about his training, career, and answer your questions! If you use your eagle eyes, you might even see where AMP’s Ellen Griesedieck has painted Al’s stealthy plane in the mural.
AMP Talk: An Evening with USAF Colonel Alton Whitley
Saturday, May 23
AMP Talk: 6pm
VIP Experience: 5pm
Admission: $85 for AMP Talk/$150 for VIP Experience
With our soaring mural (featuring Al piloting his F-117!) providing an epic skyline, World Affairs Council of Connecticut Executive Director Megan Torrey joins Col. Whitley and Ellen for an insightful and inspiring conversation sure to cover his high-flying experiences, education, and beyond.
VIP All-Access Experience
AMP is delighted to offer attendees a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to interact with Colonel Whitley while also supporting our mission. 𝗩𝗜𝗣 𝗔𝗹𝗹-𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 guests will receive a private tour of the mural before the talk, priority seating during the program, and access to an intimate post-event reception with Al and Ellen. The reception includes a meet and greet with photo opportunity, complimentary wine/beer, a signed poster, and an additional chance to ask questions of a decorated war hero. Tickets for the VIP All-Access Experience are extremely limited, so early reservations are highly recommended.
