The last summer activity for our Cub Scouts this year was a trip to an Air Reserve Base. The museum is excellent with displays of aviation artifacts from 1918 to present day. There are over 70 historic aircraft on display including a Lockheed SR-71A Blackbird that flew at 2,000 miles per hours (and that’s not a typo!!) The delightful volunteers are mostly retired pilots who share their personal experiences along with historical information. Our guide, Skip, was patient, had a plethora of knowledge and was animated, which kept the boys’ attention. His passion was evident as he related experiences from his military career. The volunteers have their photos and names posted on the wall in the museum for all to see. It’s a kick because their photos are from when they were on active military duty and much younger.
In the hanger that houses the museum, I was taken back to a time long before I was born as I walked among the historic displays and hanging aircraft, with Billie Holiday singing “I’ll Be Seeing You” in the background.
Skip telling the Scouts about the three McDonnell Douglas RF-4C‘s just behind him
Monkey Boy and Bear by the Grumman HU-16E Albatross
I wish I had looked at the following two photos before we went. I would love to have taken photos of Monkey Boy and Bear standing exactly where their father was standing back in 1986. I was Brian’s Den Leader also.
Brian and his good pal with the Vultee BT-13A Valiant in 1986
Brian’s Wolf Den with the McDonnell F-101B Voodoo in 1986
Adjacent to the Air Reserve Base is a National Cemetery, a final resting place for those who have served in our armed forces. Ny and I visit often as his father is interred there. It is a beautiful setting with peaceful surroundings and a fitting memorial to veterans who have served and protected our freedom and liberty in times of peace or conflict.
The newest addition is the Medal Of Honor Memorial. The beauty of it will take your breath away while the meaning of it will bring tears to your eyes.
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