Veterans home receives Knight memorabilia from Edwards collection Published April 6, 2011 By Diane Betzler Staff Writer EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Seven pieces of personal memorabilia that belonged to former Air Force test pilot, astronaut and state Senator, William J. "Pete" Knight found a place at the veterans home bearing the late test pilot's name March 28. Representatives from Edwards Air Force Base and the Knight family presented the works of art to the William J. "Pete" Knight Veterans Home of California - Lancaster. The Knight family had made a large donation of memorabilia to the Air Force Flight Test Center Museum, including these seven pieces. "His wishes were for everything to go to the museum at Edwards," said Gail Knight, Senator Knight's widow. There were enough pieces that some were able to be donated to William J. "Pete" Knight High school in Palmdale to hang in the halls of the school, and also the veterans home. Pete's son, California State Assemblyman Steve Knight, son of the famous test pilot, made the presentation along with Mrs. Knight, Lt. Col. Susie Lewis, 95th Force Support Squadron commander, Chief Master Sgt. Donald Rupp, 95th FSS commander chief and Tina Dorff, director of the Arts and Crafts Center at Edwards. Ms. Dorff donated her time and talents to framing each piece before presenting them to the veterans home. Assemblyman Knight also has some of his father's keepsakes on display at his office in Sacramento. The seven pieces that were delivered to the veterans home March 28 each represent a pivotal moment in the pilot's life and Mrs. Knight explained what each piece represented. Lawrence Hawkins, supervising rehabilitation therapist at the home, said each framed piece of aviation history would be proudly displayed along the halls of the veterans home in Lancaster.