Famed North Carolina Aviator Belvin Maynard, nicknamed “The Flying Parson,” has received a historical marker in his hometown of Harrells just a stone’s throw away from his family farm.

The unveiling ceremony for the marker was held Saturday at the Old Academy across from Harrells Christian Academy on Tomahawk Highway. The event was attended by many locals to the town of Harrells, as well as many decedents to the Maynard family name and John Lancaster, a Washington Post journalist and author of the acclaimed book “The Great Air Race,” in which he retraces Maynard’s flight path and the events of the race.

“It was the absolute joy of a lifetime to be able to retrace the steps of the race,” said Lancaster.

Many of the Maynard descendants praised Lancaster for his book and stated that he was

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