Victoria Yeager Coming to Bridgeport for Fundraiser, Carl Hopkins WV Youth Aviation Expo
By Chris Johnson on July 24, 2025
There are few names in the world of aviation that carry the weight that Yeager does.
Brigadier General Chuck Yeager was not only an iconic aviator with a long and distinguished military career that featured him becoming the first man in history to fly faster than the speed of sound on Oct. 14, 1947, he was an American hero from Hamlin, West Virginia.
Yeager passed away in 2020 but his legacy lives on.
His (second) wife of 17 years, Victoria Yeager, will be in Bridgeport to help promote that legacy, August 8-9 as she takes part in the fifth annual Carl Hopkins WV Youth Aviation Expo.
In addition to being a guest at the expo, she will take part in event entitled “An Evening with Victoria Yeager” on Friday, Aug. 8 at the “O” by Oliverio’s.
Tickets for “An Evening with Victoria Yeager” are $100 and funds will go to the Chuck Yeager Legacy Foundation. The event will include a cash bar, buffet dinner, a presentation from Yeager about her late husband and an autograph/photo session.
To purchase tickets and make your reservation, contact Ed Waske at 304-694-5387.
Waske, the Chief Operating Officer for Engine & Airframe Solutions Worldwide and the primary organizer for the Carl Hopkins WV Youth Aviation Expo, knows how monumental having Yeager in town is.
“The Academy of Model Aeronautics said, ‘Hey, we got a request from Victoria Yeager on support in your area.’ " he said.
“We went to a show she had in Millwood (just outside of Ripley), we did the RC flying and talked to kids in support of her event. We got to know her. In talking with her, we found out we have several things in common.
“When I was at the U.S. Embassy in Pakistan, General Yeager was there just prior to me getting there. So, we started talking about Pakistan, the airplane that was shot up that he used to fly. The new plane there that I was supporting.
“I said, ‘Victoria, would you be interested in coming to support this event (Carl Hopkins WV Youth Aviation Expo)?’ She said, ‘Yes, I would.’”
Victoria Yeager is building quite the legacy for herself. She has published two books about her husband - “101 Chuck YEAGER-isms – Wit & Wisdom from America’s Hero by bestselling author, General Chuck Yeager and his favorite wingman, Victoria” and ““CHUCK YEAGER: WHAT A RIDE! – Her Amazing Life with The Original Right Stuff, Chuck Yeager by Victoria Yeager, Chuck Yeager’s favorite co-pilot.”
In addition to being an author, she is a pilot, businesswoman, actress, world traveler and does volunteer work to help promote the history and opportunities in aviation.
“Her organization also talks to kids about getting involved in aviation and she will have a booth at the expo both days,” Waske said. “She’s sent books in, flyers for the foundation and has helped out with getting some other companies to send in some giveaways for the kids. We’re excited that’s she going to be here.”
For more on Victoria Yeager see HERE
Editor's Note: Top photo of Victoria Yeager (left) and Chuck Yeager (right) and bottom photo of Victoria courtesy of the Chuck Yeager website.
