VIP guests included museum board member Jeff Harris (left) Olympic gold medalist Jeff Float, Jan Float, museum executives Tom and Karen Jones, Berta Radcliffe and museum volunteer Dennis Cross. Photo by Susan Maxwell Skinner

SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - Veterans Day celebrations got off to an early start as 300 guests donned vintage threads to wine and dine at the Aerospace Museum of California.

With a backdrop of WW II aircraft, the Salute to Service fundraiser supported the non-profit McClellan facility, and its many educational programs.

Cocktails, dinner and dancing preceded the main event: a 20-minute explosion of fireworks staged by the world’s largest pyrotechnic company. Pyro Spectaculars annually provides this blowout to honor veterans and support the museum. Gala supporters got front-row seats beside the hangar; much of greater Sacramento viewed the spectacle from afar.

“At this place we recognize service every day of the year,” noted museum director/curator Tom Jones. “But our amazing fireworks – with a backdrop of aircraft from major conflicts – seem a fitting way to honor our nation’s heroes.”

Gala sponsors included: Safe Credit Union, McClellan Park, Aerojet Rocketdyne, Boeing, SMUD, Lockheed Martin, General Davie and Linda Martin.

Anyone may visit the Aerospace Museum of California at 3200 Freedom Park Drive, McClellan. For hours and event information visit www.aerospaceca.org