Daniel B. Burnett Jr.

"[3] In 1909, three year old Burnett viewed an aviation movie at the Plattsburgh Barracks that left a lifelong impression on him and led him to begin building model airplanes.

When he was young, he witnessed an airplane race between Earie Ovington, the first airmail pilot, and Grahame White around the city of Boston.

While living in Philadelphia, he rode his bike to the airport on Saturdays to watch the air mail planes.

In 1921, he met one of his heroes, Eddie Rickenbacker.Then, in 1922, he moved to San Diego, California, and soon began maintaining airplanes for Ryan Aviation after school.

In 1926, before even the federal government restricted activities in the air, the City of San Diego set up licensing for pilots.

Before Lindbergh's flight, Burnett asked him to take a one dollar bill and a letter, both signed by Captain Martell and a red carnation given to him by Lieutenant Kelley.

The dollar bill later transferred hands to Sir Hubert Wilkins for his flight to the Antarctic and on Doles' race with Martin Jensen to Honolulu.