Duane Ellett was a famous Iowa television personality. He was on radio and television from 1957 to 1987. Mr. Ellett entertained thousands of Iowa children for three decades with a lovable puppet beagle named "Floppy." In addition to his work in television, Mr. Ellett belonged to and participated in many community organizations, and he donated many hours to public appearances for charitable organizations. Duane Ellett died in 1987, but the memory of him and his puppet "Floppy" will live on in the minds of many Iowans.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Floppy_Show
Link dated 08/20/09: http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20090820/NEWS13/308200005

The base began as Sheppard Field on 300 acres (1.2 km²) just south of Kell Field, named for the businessman Frank Kell. A Texas cattleman, oilman, and philanthropist, Joseph Sterling Bridwell, sold the land to the U.S. Army for one dollar.

It was officially opened as an United States Army Air Corps training center on 17 October 1941, following the arrival of the first military members on 14 June. As the Army Air Corps became the Army Air Forces, facilities were completed sufficiently to allow the first class of 22 aviation mechanics to enter training that October; the class graduated 23 February 1942.

During World War II, then-Sheppard Field conducted basic training, and it also trained glider mechanics, technical and flying training instructors and B-29 Superfortress flight engineers. In addition to the basic flying training, the base also provided advanced pilot training.

Sheppard Field reached its peak strength of 46,340 people while serving as a separation center for troops being discharged following World War II from September through November 1945. Sheppard Field was deactivated 31 August 1946 and declared surplus to the War Department's needs. It was transferred to the jurisdiction of the United States Army Corps of Engineers 30 April 1947. Over the next two years the Texas National Guard used the base

Muroc Army Air Base, Muroc, California (now Edwards Air Force Base)
Previously known as Muroc Air Force Base, Edwards AFB is named in honor of Captain Glen Edwards (1918–1948). During World War II, he flew 50 missions in A-20 Havoc light attack bombers in the North African campaign on extremely hazardous, low-level missions against German tanks, convoys, troop concentrations, bridges, airfields, and a variety of other tactical targets. Edwards became a test pilot in 1943 and spent much of his time at Muroc Army Air Field, on California's high desert, testing a wide variety of experimental prototype aircraft. He died in the crash of a Northrop YB-49 flying wing near Muroc AFB on 5 June 1948