Unveiling of aviator memorial statue at Lemoore set for Saturday

The Aviator Memorial Association will unveil its statue at Lemoore Naval Air Station on Saturday in a 1 p.m. ceremony that's open to the public.

The association has been raising money since last year to build the statue alongside Reeves Bypass, a public access road that connects the base's administration and operations sides. Base access is not required.

To reach the statue site from the Fresno area, take Highway 41 south to Grangeville Road, which dead-ends on the base. Turn left at the dead end and the memorial will be on the right about a mile down the road.

From Highway 198, enter the base and stay to the left at the first fork in the road and drive for about five miles.

For more information about the memorial and the association, go to its Facebook page.

Update: On Monday, the Blue Angels -- the Navy's jet stunt team -- did a flyover of the memorial en route to San Francisco Fleet Week, the Hanford Sentinel reported.

This story was originally published October 2, 2014 at 9:13 PM.