Hangar Digest THE MUSEUM Page 1 Hangar digest VOLUME 20, NO. 1 JAN — MAR 2020

THE AMCM HANGAR DIGEST IS A QUARTERLY PUBLICATION OF THE AMC MUSEUM FOUNDATION INC. Page 2 Volume 20, Issue 1 Air Mobility Command Museum Mission Statement The mission of the Air Mobility Command Museum is twofold: ● To present the history and development of military airlift and tanker operations. ● In a goal closely aligned with the first, to portray the rich history of and its predecessor, Dover Army Airfield.

The AMC Museum Hangar AMC Museum Staff AMC Museum Foundation Digest is published quar- Director Board of Directors terly and is dedicated to John Taylor President the preservation of our Deputy Director Col. Don Sloan, USAFR (Ret.) airlift and tanker herit- Eric Czerwinski Vice President age. All articles, unless Operations Manager Lt. Col. Paul Gillis, USAFR (Ret.) otherwise noted, are writ- Mike Hurlburt Secretary ten by the editor. Senior Archivist MSgt. Jeff Brown, USAF (Ret.) Lt. Col. Harry E. Heist, USAF (Ret.) Viewpoints in this publica- Treasurer Photo Archivist Col. Jim Schultz, USAF (Ret.) tion are those of the contrib- SMSgt. Larry Koewing, USAF (Ret.) uting authors and do not nec- Members Collections Manager Mr. Robert Berglund essarily reflect the opinions of Hal Sellars The AMC Museum Founda- Mr. Carleton E. Carey Sr. Volunteer Coordinator/Scheduler Lt. Gen. Bob Dierker, USAF (Ret.) tion or of the Museum’s staff. Paul George CMSgt. George Roof, USAF (Ret.) Subscriptions are free and Librarian CMSgt. Paul Roy, USAF (Ret.) are mailed via nonprofit Frieda Herman MSgt. Phyllis Scully, USAFR (Ret.) standard mail to paid-up Mr. Kevin Taha members of The AMC Muse- AMCM Foundation Staff CMSgt. Michael Wysong, USAFR (Ret.) um Foundation Inc. Membership Manager Contributions. Reader com- MSgt. Jeff Brown, USAF (Ret.) Chaplain ments, articles and ideas are Acting Museum Store Manager Chaplain (Lt. Col.) John Groth, USAFR (Ret.) solicited for future issues. Mail Bettie Campbell to The Hangar Digest, AMCM Restoration Chief Foundation, PO Box 2024, Do- Les Polley ver AFB DE 19902-9998; fax Website (www.amcmuseum.org) 302-677-5940; or email Hal Sellars hangardigest@ gmail.com. Contact Editor Master Sgt. Jeff What is the Air Mobility Command Museum? Brown, USAF (Ret.) via email at Located in Hangar 1301 on Dover Air Force Base, Kent County, Delaware, the AMC [email protected]. Museum is part of the National Museum of the ’s field museum Photos are by Jeff Brown, system. One of the reasons your AMC Museum continues to provide a great educational expe- unless otherwise noted. rience is that we stick very closely to our reason for being. So exactly what is our mission? Broken down by numbers our mission is 70 percent airlift and air-refueling, 20 percent Dover AFB history and 10 percent Air Force general history. Our aircraft and artifact collection sticks very closely to that breakdown. But we Cover: A group of fourth-grade work hard to be much more than numbers. We tell the stories of the people who have students from the Woodbridge served in our nation’s Air Force, and we offer the only opportunity for many visitors to Elementary School in Bridge- see the actual aircraft and meet the people who have served our country. ville, Del., visited the AMCM Hangar 1301 was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994. Oct. 12. Led by volunteer tour guide Dave Doyle, the young- Although located on Dover AFB proper, entrance to the Museum must be made from sters learned about the Muse- Delaware Route 9, south of the base. Admission to and parking at the Museum is free um’s collection of aircraft, and military identification is not required. The Air Mobility Command Museum is open including the C-47 Turf and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. It is closed on Mondays and all federal Sport Special before pausing holidays except Veterans Day. For more information, call 302-677-5938 or 302-677-5991. for a photograph outside the We like to say we are a window to your Air Force. Let us know how we can continue to historic troop carrier. improve our outreach and family-friendly experience.

The Hangar Digest is printed and mailed by Delmarva Printing, Salisbury, Md.. Hangar Digest Page 3 Veterans Affairs Val Camarillo informs vets visiting AMC Museum Information is the heart and soul of any Her primary role is to inform veterans, museum, but visitors to the AMC Museum veteran service organizations, and elected were able to get a little extra education during state representatives about VA healthcare 2019 thanks to the efforts of Air Force veteran options available to eligible veterans. She Valerie Camarillo. also assists veterans with enrolling in VA A community outreach specialist with the healthcare. Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Wilming- “Many veterans don’t know they’re eligible ton, Del., Camarillo was on hand once a for VA medical care and don’t know their month to provide some one-on-one help to benefits,” Camarillo said. She has also found veterans visiting the AMC Museum. they need help enrolling in the program and “I wanted to get the word out to veterans receiving assistance with filing claims. about what benefits they’re eligible for,” “A lot of times veterans don’t realize that if Camarillo said. “I also want veterans in Dela- they qualify for VA health care, it doesn’t ware to know the Wilmington VA has nearby affect any other health insurance they may VA clinics in Kent and Sussex counties. They have,” she explained. “VA health care is just don’t have to travel to Wilmington to see a an added benefit for them to use.” primary care doctor.” For some veterans, health care through the The Museum’s staff was eager to take ad- VA may be the only medical benefits they VA photo vantage of Camarillo’s expertise, AMCM have, Camarillo added. Many are surprised to Veterans Affairs Outreach Coordinator Operations Manager Mike Hurlburt said. find that, with few exceptions, VA health Valerie Camarillo “Val reached out to us to see if she could benefits come at no cost. set up during our Open Cockpit Days to in- During her time with the VA and those She’s also learned a lot of younger veterans form veterans of the services that the VA has Saturdays at the AMCM, Camarillo has don’t ask for help right away. available,” he said. learned many veterans are unfamiliar with the “At the Museum, I have had a lot of senior Open Cockpit Days are held the third Sat- new Mission Act, which went into effect in veterans asking for my assistance in enrolling urday of each month between April and Octo- June 2019. their sons or daughters who are veterans of ber. Because the Museum strives to open as The act gives eligible veterans new options Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Endur- many planes in its collection as possible, these when dealing with their healthcare. For exam- ing Freedom.” days usually see a larger number of visitors, ple, they can opt into Community Care and “While at the Museum, a father came up to Hurlburt said. Many of those are service vet- see an outside provider, as long as the VA has me and said his son, who was a veteran, was erans who bring their children and grandchil- scheduled the appointment. The VA covers having addiction issues. I met with his son dren to see what the AMCM has to offer. the cost. and assisted in getting him enrolled with the Urgent care visits at participating centers VA. And to think the father had just come in Taking charge may be had without preapproval or cost. Vet- to look at airplanes with his grandchildren,” A native of Erie, Pa., Camarillo was as- erans also will receive a $30 co-pay from the she said. signed to Dover AFB, Del., upon enlisting in VA after the fourth visit in a calendar year. “A lot of times, veterans will come to me 1997. She’s never left. “To be eligible, veterans must be enrolled and say they can’t get hearing aids because Camarillo joined the Delaware Air Nation- in the VA’s health care system,” Camarillo they’re so expensive. I tell them if they quali- al Guard as an operations controller upon said. “This option makes it easier to get medi- fy, they can get them for free,” she said. leaving active duty in 2001. After earning her cal attention, particularly when away from Homeless veterans also are an area of ma- bachelor’s degree, she taught for about 10 home.” jor concern. years at the Campus Community School in “I work to get them going in the right direc- Dover. The stories, the experiences tion, I connect them with VA and state re- She worked tirelessly on her education, Camarillo has been successful in her prima- sources to learn about housing and health eventually earning her master’s degree in ry mission of helping vets understand the VA care,” she said. “One of my main focuses this Education. She’s served both in the ANG and system. She’s even assisted with enrolling year is suicide prevention. We are losing too with the 512th Airlift Wing at Dover, advanc- some of the Museum’s more than 100 volun- many veterans to suicide.” ing to the grade of master sergeant before teers. And although she’s been on the job now receiving her commission as a second lieuten- “I love hearing all the stories the AMC since January 2019, she and Taylor have as- ant in 2012. Now a captain, she serves as a Museum volunteer staff share with me,” she sisted in enrolling over 500 veterans. force support services officer and was the said. “The history they have experienced and Not one to rest on her laurels, Camarillo is Delaware Air National Guard’s first full-time the things you would never have known hap- working to return to the AMCM during 2020. sexual assault response coordinator. pened. They share them with me, and it's truly “I’m planning to come back because I’m a It was while working with the Delaware an honor to hear them.” resource that can provide information on ANG that she learned of a vacancy for an “I love the fact that they can come to me health care veterans may be eligible for,” she outreach coordinator with Veterans Affairs. and talk to me about their healthcare needs.” said. “Being at the AMCM has been a great “I’d met outreach specialist Mark Taylor, She’s also gotten reaction from when they avenue to explore, and it has been worth it.” who knew of my dedication to helping veter- come back from their first VA appointments. Camarillo’s work covers all Delaware, and ans in need and asked if I’d be interested in “I love it when one of them come up to me she can be reached at 302-357-8715. applying as a VA outreach specialist,” she and share their current experience at the VA If you are a service member or veteran said. and how happy they are with the services they in crisis, call 1-800-273-8255, then press 1 “I was ecstatic when I was offered the now are receiving, services they never knew to speak to someone 24 hours a day, position.” they were eligible for before.” 365 days a year. Page 4 Volume 20, Issue 1 From the top Notes from the Museum Director and staff I am very proud Hello! As the One component of the aircraft that was of the Museum AMCM’s deputy missing are the empennage end planes that team and their director, I will be were removed when the aircraft was modi- accomplishments. providing a snap- fied to the C-119C configuration during its To see a diverse shot of museum service life. Volunteers are working with group of individu- aircraft restoration the original drawings to see what could be als of all ages, and exhibits. produced to fabricate and install them. with a myriad of On the restora- Eventually, the aircraft will be painted to skills, continue to tion front, the KB- reflect its historical place in history as one develop together 50J is coming of eight aircraft that dropped M2 Treadway as a successful along well. With bridge sections to the U.S. Marine and U.S. John Taylor team is rewarding. the support of the Eric Czerwinski Army personnel during the Korean War Our faithful volunteers provide their time 512th Maintenance Squadron, we gained with their withdrawal from the Chosin Res- and expertise supporting the museum mis- major ground in restoring the fuselage ervoir in 1950. sion of preserving military aviation history. structure which had deteriorated in the salt After a flurry of additions to the hangar In 2019, the museum volunteer team of air at MacDill Air Force Base. More than display area, including the completion of 140 contributed 33,000 hours performing 20 brackets have been replaced outright the stage for the CG-4A glider and the addi- duties as tour guides, archivists and other along three bulkheads in the rear of the air- tion of several information “crates,” Muse- essential areas such as aircraft restoration, craft and several major panels were fabri- um Collections Manager and Exhibit Spe- library, store, visitor reception, and volun- cated to replace ones that were corroded cialist Hal Sellars has completed work on teer and event coordination. through. Sheet metal personnel also re- the walls of the entrance hallway to the Our current permanent staffing is well on placed several longerons heavily damaged museum. The new look greatly enhances its way to getting healthy. Museum efforts from corrosion. the appearance of the hallway as visitors get to achieve additional staff have been ap- Museum volunteers, headed by the air- their first look at our facility. A new POW/ proved by the Air Mobility Command and craft crew chief Tim Maurer, continue to MIA memorial display is in the works that supported by the 436 Airlift Wing. work on interior components by cleaning, will feature an aircrew seat to commemo- Two major aircraft restorations are in sanding, priming, and painting on a mass rate the prisoners of war and those who progress; the KB-50J and C-119B. New scale. Tim replaced the majority of the remain missing in action. The display will exhibit projects, volunteer awards, and fa- cockpit windows to get the forward fuselage be quite fitting. cility upgrades are keeping everyone busy. weather-tight for the winter. With the cold The replica Dover AFB guard shack exhibit The Museum team developed a community and wet season, new challenges are in store has moved to the entrance of the hangar from outreach program to bring the heritage of to continue the restoration at a pace to en- up on the mezzanine. We had it reduced in the museum to schools and the local com- sure the aircraft is ready for its spring dedi- size to make it less bulky and it is far more munity. Volunteers in realistic World War cation. Much more work is needed on the accurate to the original shown in the historic II uniforms bring history alive and accurate- aircraft structure and the installation of inte- 1940s photo than what we’d had on display. A ly demonstrate personnel roles, such as rior components before the aircraft is ready. new guard display will be at the entrance to Women Air Force Service Pilots, glider The weather will no doubt slow the pace as the hangar complete with a new mannequin pilots, and artillerymen. the crew continues to battle the elements and props that will be more accurate to the Current Museum restrooms are getting a into the winter months. photo we have grown to know quite well by complete renovation thanks to the support of The C-119B is structurally in a far better now. the 436 Airlift Wing and should be complete place. Museum volunteers are finishing up Plans are in place to add another set of para- by March 2020. We do have heated restroom the installation of external panels removed troopers to the existing C-47 display, and facilities in the meantime, so do not let the before the aircraft was shipped. We’ve more artifact-friendly versions will replace construction keep you from visiting. several mannequins now in the cases. These Also, in 2019 the Museum developed its new mannequins are really bland compared to inaugural 25-year Strategic Vision. the originals; in fact, they have no details at Our vision is to create the most defini- all. However, it has been learned that just tive military airlift and air refueling mu- about all of the detailed mannequins you see seum and to be the benchmark of quality today are not archive-safe for the apparel and for the USAF Heritage Program Field equipment that are on them. The vinyl hands Museums. Priorities will be to maintain and faces, for example, will “sweat” after a an unrivaled inventory of mobility aircraft while when the constituent oils start returning and exhibits, inspire and educate new to their natural state, causing the oil to soak generations through educational outreach, The Museum’s Korean War C-119 will be the apparel, destroying it in the process. The develop and maintain a professional and painted to look like it did when it dropped National Museum of the USAF is working to proficient staff, and build and sustain M2 Treadway bridge sections at the Chosin replace hundreds of such mannequins and world-class facilities. Reservoir. having seen the damage sweating has done The Museum opened its doors to 140,000 learned the real challenge will be replacing first hand, it is a necessary evil. This won’t visitors in 2019. The Museum team has internal pieces of the aircraft as it was pretty affect mannequins with replica attire, but for been hard at work on many fronts and ready much stripped out over the years. We’re ones with original apparel, the new “form-a- to welcome in 2020. looking for sources for replacement instru- foam” mannequins will be used. John Taylor ments and fittings to get the aircraft interior Eric Czerwinski Director into spec. Deputy Director Hangar Digest Page 5

Hi folks! Mike Year award, which will go to the person These tours continuously receive rave re- Hurlburt here, to who shows true devotion to the Museum views, not only about the knowledge of the provide some in- throughout the entire year. docents but the amazing quality of the air- sight on Museum With this being the very first Volunteer craft, which speaks volumes about our su- operations. of the Year award, it was simply impossible perb restoration team. The AMC Muse- for the Museum staff to select a single per- Throughout 2019 we hosted several spe- um is excited to son worthy of this recognition. Since we cial events that included speakers such as announce we have have so many truly wonderful people, we North Korean defectors, Holocaust survi- completely re- have decided to present this award to three vors, an engineer from ILC Dover, and our vamped the volun- volunteers for this inaugural year only. staff and volunteers doing presentations teer recognition We also are recognizing those volunteers about Operation Market Garden and the program. This new Mike Hurlburt to have contributed their efforts over many history of housing on Dover AFB. initiative includes new categories and years. The 5,000-hour award has changed In 2019, the Museum hosted a commem- awards at certain levels. from a plaque to a very elegant desk clock. oration for the 75th anniversary of D-Day, For the first time, we will recognize as Vol- We felt it was appropriate to give back time which was a huge success. The museum unteer of the Month the person who displays to those that have donated so much of their assisted with the Thunder over Dover Air exceptional dedication and devotion to the own time to the Museum. Those reaching Show we also educated 96 students during efforts of the AMC Museum. That person will the 10,000-hour mark will still receive an the Aviation Summer Camp and hosted the receive a small trophy as well as a designated airplane of their choice from the Museum Geographical Information System day for parking spot at the museum for the month gift store. more than 250 students. We held tribute following their award. We are also proud to say our new elec- events such as the 9/11 memorial, Veterans We will continue the Volunteer of the tronic timekeeping system is working very Day, a Ground Zero commemoration flag Quarter level, but with a whole new award well. It has drastically reduced the time ceremony, the 911 tribute flame and a trib- we believe anyone would be proud to dis- required to manually input volunteer hours ute truck. All of these events were only play. This recognition will go to the volun- but has also enabled us to achieve real-time possible with the assistance of our truly teer who demonstrates hard work and lead- data in support of museum operations. In amazing core of volunteers. ership qualities over three months. 2019, museum volunteers have supported Mike Hurlburt Another new level is the Volunteer of the over 200 scheduled tours for 5,600 guests. Operations Manager Museum, Foundation members named to Hall of Fame Six Delawareans, including current and Born in Manhattan, George Schofield After graduating from the Air Force former members of the AMC Museum and joined the U.S. Academy in 1973, AMC Museum Foundation, were named to Army Air Corps in Don Sloan flew the Delaware Aviation Hall of Fame in cer- March 1942, serv- more than 13,000 emonies held Nov. 2, 2019. ing as a navigator hours in Lock- with the Air heed’s C-141A/B Harry Ven Den Heuvel’s aviation career Transport Com- Starlifter and C- began at the ripe mand. He was a 5A Galaxy. He’s old age of 17 when member of the 6th, flown combat sup- he enlisted in the 20th, and 2nd Fer- port missions in Air Force follow- rying Groups, nav- operations Desert ing the outbreak of igating B-24s, B-25s and C-47s to the Pacif- Shield, Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom, the Korean War. ic Theater and C-46s, C-54s, B-26s, A-26s and Iraqi Freedom. He retired from the Over the following and A-20s across South America to England Air Force Reserve in 2006 after serving as 21 years, he flew and India. He was awarded the Air Medal commander of the 512th Operations on or worked on after amassing more than 2,000 flight hours Group at Dover AFB. Since then, he has the C-119, B-47, and at least 160,000 miles, flying in war- flown his 1941 PT-17 Stearman and 1947 and C-130, serving in maintenance posi- weary aircraft using what now are consid- L-16 Aeronca Grasshopper, taking hun- tions at bases in the United States, to in- ered primitive navigation practices, often in dreds of enthusiastic aviators, pilots, and clude Dover and New Castle, Del., as well unpredictable, hazardous weather. He left non-pilots of all ages on sightseeing rides as Germany, Saudi Arabia, and Okinawa. the Army Air Forces in December 1946 but over Delmarva. Don joined the Air Mo- Following his Air Force retirement, Harry retained his commission in the Air Force bility Command Museum Foundation as a was a member and leader of many aviation- Reserves, rising to the rank of lieutenant member in 2005, was elected vice presi- related organizations, to include the Air colonel. Returning to Manhattan, he joined dent in 2006 and has served as president Force Association, the Delaware Aviation the New York City Fire Department, rising of the Foundation’s board of directors Hall of Fame, the Civil Air Patrol, Friends to the rank of captain over a 35-year career. since October 2008. of the Bellanca Airfield, as treasurer of the George contributed personal accounts of his Air Mobility Command Museum Founda- experiences to the revised issue of “The Other honorees included U.S. Navy Lt. tion and as director of aviation for the Dela- History of the 2nd Ferrying Group,” and has Cmdr. James Connell, who died a prison- ware Department of Transportation. While recorded oral histories of his experiences er of war in North Vietnam, U.S. Air in the latter position, he is credited with for the University of Delaware. Living to- Force Reserve Lt. Col. Gaylan Crumley, effecting numerous improvements for avia- day in Camden, Del., at the age of nearly for his service in the Air Force, as a civil- tion facilities and functions in the First 100 years, he still serves as a guide at the ian airline pilot and as an aviation instruc- State. He flew his own airplanes and bought Air Mobility Command Museum, escorting tor, and Homer “Sonny” Reihm, who and painted a replacement airport beacon visitors through some of the same aircraft oversaw the development of the spacesuit tower for Bellanca Airfield. he navigated almost 80 years earlier. used during the Apollo lunar missions. Page 6 Volume 20, Issue 1 Awards Volunteers feted at annual recognition dinner The annual AMCM Volunteers Recogni- to their equally significant impact on the Mu- termined through visitors’ questionnaires and tion Dinner was the occasion as AMC Mu- seum, he said. a similarly positive rating through the Trip seum Director John Taylor, Deputy Direc- About 100 volunteers and family members Advisor travel website. Based on 803 visitor tor Eric Czerwinski and Operations Manag- attended the Dec. 12 Christmas dinner, funded reviews, the site rates the AMCM as the num- er Mike Hurlburt announced the results of in part by the AMC Museum Foundation. ber one attraction in Dover. the Museum’s revised volunteer recognition Hurlburt spearheaded the revitalized program, “It doesn’t get any better than that,” Taylor program. which included redesigned physical awards said, “and all of that is directly related to eve- In a first, something Taylor said only will and plaques, also provided by the Foundation. ryone in this room, including the spouses. happen in 2019, three individuals – Paul The Museum’s 147 volunteers spent more “You all amaze me every time I walk into George, Don Hall and Timothy Maurer -- than 33,000 hours showing visitors through its the Museum,” he added. “You bring together were named Volunteer of the Year. The selec- displays and aircraft, Taylor added. The Mu- all this diversity and talent into a team that just tion committee had to recognize all three due seum received a 95 percent 5-star rating, de- blows me away.” Kudos to all of our outstanding AMCM volunteers . . . Paul George AMCM Volunteer of the Year – 2019 Wing Staff Agency and 436th AW Volunteer of the Quarter Paul contributed more than 1,150 hours of service to the Air Mobili- ty Command Museum, fulfilling responsibilities as the volunteer coordinator and scheduling manager, providing critical services to the operation of the Museum, coordinating with the base populace and local community. He took the leadership role in scheduling more than 5,000 guests for tours, events, and activities. He re- searched and coordinated all aspects of an initiative to create a more visible and efficient scheduling concept for the Museum’s opera- tional programs. For the first time, the Museum’s scheduling pro- cess has been electronically centralized and is being shared with staff and tour guides for all Museum calendar events for more than 50 monthly activities. He amazes staff and all who visit the AMC Museum with his professionalism and dedication and continues to volunteer at the AMCM four days a week. (Paul George, John Taylor and Don Hall)

Don Hall AMCM Volunteer of the Year – 2019 Wing Staff Agency and 436th AW Volunteer of the Quarter Don contributed more than 970 hours of service to the Air Mobility Command Museum. He fulfilled responsibilities as a volunteer docent providing educational tours of the AMCM to a good portion of our more than 140,000 annual visitors. Month after month, Don consistently has received outstanding reviews for his knowledge, personality, and simply providing visitors with an experience of a lifetime. His motiva- tion and dedication to the Museum, its visitors and its artifacts enhance the experience for all who meet him. He is the most requested docent from returning visitors and has received outstanding accolades from visitor surveys and social media outlets. As a mentor to other docents, he has trained more than 30 new tour guides on the proper procedures and techniques of giving an informative and educational tour.

Timothy Maurer AMCM Volunteer of the Year – 2019 Wing Staff Agency and 436th AW Volunteer of the Quarter Tim has contributed more than 940 hours of service to the Air Mobility Command Museum and the preservation of U.S. Air Force aviation history through his work as a restoration volunteer and as the KB-50J aircraft crew chief. Managing a team of seven volunteers and three sheet metal technicians, he has worked in the heat of the summer months, coordinating resources and direct hand-on expertise for the continuing restoration of the earliest extant aerial refueler in the world. Through his motivation, dedication and skills he had provided the Air Force heritage program and the AMC Museum with priceless manjours toward the preservation of Air Force aviation history, enhancing the experiences of all. He coordinated efforts with an aviation engineer to evaluate the KB-50J aircraft for its overall structural integrity. He es- tablished a robust restoration plan and prioritized repair areas, avoiding work stoppages and saving countless manhours. He is a natural leader AMCM photo who inspires others around him. (Tim Maurer and John Taylor)

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Patrick O’Neill AMCM Volunteer of the Month – Nov. 2019 Patrick contributed more than 25 hours of services during November 2019, both to the AMCM and the local community. He has played a vital role in the creation and presenta- tion of the AMCM’s new “Living History” program, leading a three-man team of volun- teers who portray a variety of World War II soldiers, including glider pilots, infantrymen, and mechanics, bringing history to vivid life for visitors. Patrick also takes his uniforms, accessories and knowledge to local events along with the Museum’s outreach team to explain all that the Museum has to offer. Constantly getting rave reviews and positive comments for his portrayal of what life was like for soldiers during World War II, he and his team have significantly increased the visitor experience while at our Museum. (Eric Czerwinski, Patrick O’Neill, John Taylor and Mike Hurlburt)

Doug Degraves AMCM Volunteer of the Quarter – Oct. – Dec. 2019 Doug has contributed more than 100 hours of service to the Air Mobility Command Muse- um and the local community. He has fulfilled his responsibilities as head of the Museum’s outreach team in assembling a robust travel kit including displays, tables, tents, and pam- phlets to reach out to members of the local community to inform the public about the AMC Museum. This program provides information that includes what is available to visi- tors of all ages as well as volunteer opportunities at the Museum. He has been a constant presence at all Dover AFB newcomers’ briefings as well as many base and community events throughout Dover and Kent County. His tenacious attitude in promoting the Muse- um has brought several volunteers and countless visitors to the Museum’s doors. (Doug Degraves and John Taylor)

Left: Museum Deputy Director Eric Czerwinski presents Gene Williams with his award for serv- ing more than 5,000 volunteer hours. That’s equivalent to more than two straight years on the job without a day off.

Right: Mike Phillips and Rodney Moore were recognized as accumu- lating more than 5,000 hours of volunteer service to the AMCM, with the awards pre- sented by Museum Director John Taylor. AMCM photo

AMCM photo AMCM photo

Don Rynes, right, was recognized by Museum Director John Bill Judd also was honored by Museum Director John Taylor Taylor for his more than 10,000 hours of volunteer service. and Operations Manager Mike Hurlburt on reaching the 5,000- Don quickly selected a model of the C-5 for his award. hour volunteer mark. Page 8 Volume 20, Issue 1 Public television highlights AMCM volunteers The Air Mobility Command Museum is Hurlburt said well known as Kent County, Delaware’s there are more than prime tourist attraction. Now, thanks to public 100 active volun- television, the Museum has gained a far wider teers who contribute audience. about 3,000 hours of A video crew from Philadelphia’s WHYY- their time each TV was at the Museum Tuesday, Oct. 29, to month. About 75 interview its volunteers for its public infor- percent are military mation program, “You Oughta Know.” retirees or veterans, Led by producer/director Brian Drouin, the and while most were team spent the day filming inside and outside in the Air Force, the Hangar 1301 and talking to the volunteers as other services are well as Operations Manager Mike Hurlburt. represented as well. ‘You Oughta Know’ is a 30-minute life- “The idea was to style magazine show, Drouin said. show the vets and “We look at people, places, and things that showcase they’re you ought to know about within the tri-state doing this work, but area,” he said. ‘You Oughta Know’ airs you also want to tell Thursday nights and features several segments people there is a per program. Shirley Min and Regina Mitch- museum, and you AMCM volunteer Dave Doyle, right, gets ready for his interview ell co-host the series. want to tell them with a crew from Philadelphia’s WHYY-TV. “We try to tell about some of the interesting about it,” Drouin things in Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New said. “Most people fly past it during the sum- “I always find it interesting that these guys Jersey, and the people in the area while trying mer. You know, they might see the planes, but flew in or worked on these airplanes,” Drouin to have a little bit of fun,” Drouin added. you want to tell them a little bit about the said. “It takes coming to the Museum to a planes and why they’re here.” whole new level.” ‘Some really cool stories’ The Museum’s volunteers are a living his- He’s also gained greater admiration for the A former Air Force dependent, Drouin tory resource, Hurlburt said. volunteers, many of whom are in their 60s, learned about the AMC Museum several “They bring an individual experience, each 70s, or even 80s. years ago from his father, who once worked at and every one of them,” he said, “and they “You get a sense of their dedication,” Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New share their stories with our visitors, and it’s Drouin said. “They don’t have to be doing Jersey. just priceless.” this. They could be hanging out with their “He used to go to Dover for training, and he grandkids or out fishing. knew I was looking for stories,” Drouin said. To honor veterans “But they’re here to provide visitors with a “He told me there was a museum down there Seven Museum volunteers appeared on sense of history and place in that history. that was restoring old airplanes. I went on the camera during the segment. “They’re not that far removed from those Internet and found it.” It took about one hour to do the actual inter- events,” he said. “They all have great stories, and His most recent effort was Drouin’s third views and about four more to shoot back- you wish you had the time to get them all.” story about the AMCM; his initial project ground video, Drouin said. profiled work done by Museum restoration Working against ever-present time con- Putting it together crews while the second examined how the straints, Drouin sought highlights with each In addition to himself, Drouin’s team in- railroads were integral to the effort to win interviewee, many of whom described their cluded two technicians who recorded each World War II. years of service and showed photographs of interview and shot background video. But Drouin also has visited the Museum on themselves while on active duty. Drouin took the footage and edited it into a his own time. “You know they all have stories to tell, but four-minute segment that aired with several “Every year, my family and I go down to you don’t have the time,” he said. “My goal others. He also directed Min and Mitchell on the [Delaware] beaches for vacation. We’ve was to say, here are these guys, they served, the “You Oughta Know” set with the co- done that since my son was in diapers, and when they served and to try to get a sense of hosts introducing each segment. he’s 10 now,” he said. “We always made the what they did and what they do now at the The completed episode aired Nov. 7, just Museum a stop on the way where we’d have Museum.” before Veterans Day 2019. It took eight days lunch and walk around. For some, military service is a multi- from shooting the video until final airing. “We like the Museum, and it has some generational affair; several volunteers have “We’ve got more stories in the can and a really cool stories to tell. We were here in parents who fought in World War II and who lot of stuff coming up next year, too,” he September, and when we were leaving, it encouraged their children to take up the uni- said. occurred to me we should do a story about the form. Some of those second-generation mili- Producing and directing the AMC Museum veterans who volunteer there. tary personnel have children and even grand- segment was a rewarding and enlightening “They’re such a major part of the Muse- children who continue to serve. experience he hopes “You Oughta Know” um,” Drouin said. “So, I reached out and it “One of the things is to honor prior veterans viewers will take advantage of on their own, just jumped off from there.” and current service people,” volunteer Bill especially because of the volunteers. “Brian is a regular visitor to the Museum,” Lee said during the segment. “It’s so im- “When you go to any museum, you can Hurlburt said. “He only recently realized that portant they understand what that generation see stuff. But until you talk with people like most of our volunteers are veterans so when gave.” the volunteers, you don’t get a real sense of WHYY was looking for a Veterans Day piece Drouin learned many volunteers have real, what the collection is trying to tell you,” he he thought of us and asked if we’d be willing hands-on experience with the more than 35 said. to participate.” aircraft in the Museum’s collection. “You get that at the AMCM.” Hangar Digest Page 9 Star-spangled banners AMCM flag collection finds a new home in Dover By Mike Finney lenging because of Delaware State News their size and age, Published with permission and it took several trips to get them to A little bit of crosstown collaboration be- the library. tween the Air Mobility Command Museum After the flags and the city of Dover’s public library has arrived, work com- led to a new home for a set of 10 historic menced on the fram- United States flag reproductions. ing. The Holly Library Director Margie Cyr said she was Branch National contacted in May 2018 by the Museum, League of American which was undergoing remodeling, about Pen Women, which finding a new home where the flags could coordinates an art be cared for, safely displayed and viewed gallery on the li- by the public. brary’s first floor, (Editor’s note: According to former Mu- managed the neces- seum Director Mike Leister, the flags had sary cleaning and been on display at the Delaware Trust Bank repair work. before being donated to the Museum. The The next chal- bank was sent a letter of appreciation for lenge was to find a AMCM photo their thoughtfulness, Leister added.) place to display the After years at the Museum, Cyr thought The 1782 Great Seal flag was one of 10 historic reproductions flags since the li- donated to the Museum. the spacious library seemed to be a perfect brary’s first floor fit as a new home for the banners. contains displays of work by local artists Dover history,” Cyr said. “We have our So she took a trip across town and met that are changed throughout the year. regular history and genealogy collections in with AMCM Deputy Director Eric Czer- As the flags were going to be a perma- that area, too.” winski to look at the flags. nent display, Cyr decided to place them in The flags are hung higher on the walls During that initial meeting, Cyr and the building’s second story. than normal for safety and security reasons. staff from both the library and Museum “Locating the flags on the second floor The ten flags are reproductions of flags agreed the library would be a good setting also made sense because of the proximity to dating from the Grand Union Flag of 1776 for the flags. the library’s Dover Room, which houses to an 1877 Centennial banner and represent Moving the flags proved to be chal- books and memorabilia of Delaware and of different periods and geographic areas dur- ing the early years of the United States. A plaque accompanies each banner, providing descriptive text that explains the flag and its history. “When the flags were removed from the museum, the plaques were destroyed in the removal process, but the museum had pre- served them in pictures,” Cyr said. “It was really important to us that the plaques were a very close duplicate to what was in the origi- nal display.” The Delaware Public Archives agreed to work with the library in replicating the plaques as they had appeared in the museum. Corey Marshall-Steele, marketing and exhibits manager for the Delaware Public Archives, said the staff there “happily par- ticipated in the conceptualization and pro- duction of the plaques” for the project. Cyr said she relished working together in coordination with the AMCM, Pen Women and Public Archives on the flag project. “Working in partnership with these agen- cies and volunteers to make this project happen has been a real pleasure,” she said. “We are grateful to the staff at the Air Mobility Command Museum for appreciat- Margie Cyr, director of Dover’s Public Library, happily accepted the flags after they were ing the value of the historic flags and for the removed during renovations at the AMCM. The reproduction banners have been installed support of the Public Archives and the Pen on the library’s second floor. Women who tied it all together,” Cyr said. Page 10 Volume 20, Issue 1

By FOUNDATION NOTES Don Sloan Welcome to retired Chief Master Sgt. Mike Wysong, one of our newest AMC Muse- um Foundation Life Members and our newest AMCM Foundation Board member. Mike and his wife Patty come to us from New Jersey, where they both served with the 514th Air Mobility Wing at McGuire Air Force Base before their retirements. Enlisting in 1967 as an aircraft weapons technician, in 1974 Mike entered the Air Force Reserve and served as a flight instructor and flight examiner loadmaster on the C-141A/B Starlifters. He rose to the position of aircraft loadmaster superintendent, where he managed a department with more than 50 reservists and civilian employees, responsible for training, evaluating and ensuring their wartime mission-ready posture. Mike has served in Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Free- dom, was one of the USAF’s Twelve Outstanding Airmen of the Year, has served as chairman of the AF En- listed Council and an AF Reserve Council member. He retired in 2005 with 38 years of military service. He also was employed by the Department of the Air Force between 1975 and 2005 as an Air Reserve Technician, a federal civil service position with duties comparable to his Air Force Reserve assignment, he also retired from civil service in 2005. As an active life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars since 1978, he has served in a variety of leader- ship positions throughout the VFW at every organizational level. Appointed by the governor of New Jersey, he served on the state’s Veterans Service Council from 1999 to 2005. Follow-on employment as the director, National Security and Foreign Affairs for the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States in Washington, DC (2005 to 2009) he was responsible for representing and promot- ing VFW interests before various U.S. government policymakers, federal agencies, and other veterans’ groups. He worked closely with all branches of the armed services and the Department of Defense as well as state and Homeland Security. He developed the strategy and implemented the VFW National Security and Foreign Af- fairs program, with duties taking him on numerous global fact-finding missions to visit with U.S. Armed Forc- es personnel, U.S. government officials, and host nation leaders. Before moving to Delaware, he was serving as president and on the board of directors for the Armed Forces Heritage Museum, where he was instrumental in putting the museum on a solid financial footing by develop- ing and instituting a detailed line-item budget. He presently volunteers as a home builder with Central Dela- ware Habitat for Humanity. Mike and Patty moved to Delaware in December 2018 and live in the small town of Cheswold. They have one daughter, Jennifer, who is married and lives in Idaho. You’ll notice in this issue of the Hangar Digest that the Museum has revamped the AMC Museum Volunteer Recognition Program. Operations Manager Mike Hurlburt is developing an outstanding platform with the goal of better recognizing the backbone of the Air Mobility Command Museum – our volunteers. Look forward to getting to know our volunteers, the fantastic group of men and women who meet and greet – and WOW – our visitors every day. A final note: Museum Store Manager Kelly Hurlburt has taken leave of the Foundation. Kelly brought some much-needed innovation to the AMC Museum store, resulting in consistently in- creased sales. Her coordination with the volunteers, the Museum and dozens of her vendors kept our store a benchmark among museum stores; Kelly often was the one who would step up when scheduling conflicts left a hole in the schedule. Certainly, many of her behind-the-scenes efforts went unnoticed because, well, they were behind the scenes. For all Kelly Hurlburt has done for the Store, the Foundation and hence the AMC Museum, we are very grateful. Thanks! Fly safe! Don Sloan Hangar Digest Page 11 Community sponsors buoy Summer Fundraiser The AMCM Foundation is grateful in being able to count on the private individuals and businesses shown below whose donations during the summer of 2019 supported our efforts as part of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force’s field museum system.

Special thanks go out to Mitten & Winters Certified Public Accountants, who more than doubled the Museum’s requested donation; we also want to give a special shout-out to the Delaware State News and Dover Post, who contributed in-kind advertising in their respective newspapers. Your support is greatly appreciated! For more on our sponsors, visit amcmuseum.org/support-the-museum. Page 12 Volume 20, Issue 1

AROUND AND ABOUT YOUR AMC MUSEUM

Anthony Agnone and Rick Lozano look over the C-17 loadmaster Thomas Annitto, center, and his wife, AMCM’s food display, documenting the different types Jocelyn, welcomed his in-laws, Tami and Carlos Arevalo of meals served to airmen throughout the years. Lozano of Springfield, Fla., to Dover over the Christmas holi- was at Dover Air Force Base as a dependent in the late days. The couples stopped at the AMC Museum, where 1960s and was in town visiting his mother. “I think it’s they posed at the replica 1940s guard shack and toured great,” Lozano said of the AMCM. “What I really like was the other exhibits. Carlos said they’d already seen a all the documentation and displays.” Agnone, who de- Globemaster III and were anxious to visit the AMCM’s C- scribed himself as a “techie,” was fascinated by the 141: “That’s what the C-17 replaced, and I want to see many displays of aircraft components. “That Norden what’s changed.” bombsight [from the B-17] was the kicker,” he admitted.

The Ryan Page family of Magnolia, Del., examine the Tour guide Chet Hollingsworth explains the different recent upgrades to the AMCM’s lobby. From left, in versions of the Medal of Honor to visitors Gregory and front, are China, Diana, and Ryan Page; in the back are Vanessa Staine-Pyne, of Harlem, N.Y. The couple was Rod and Isaiah Page. Ryan had just started his terminal visiting family in Dover which included their first trip to leave before retiring from the Air Force as a loadmaster. the AMCM. “We wanted to visit the Air and Space Muse- His retirement ceremony had been held the day before um in Washington, D.C., but were short on time,” at the AMCM. Vanessa said. “My cousin said, “Well, we’ve got a great museum right here in Dover!”

NOTE: background cloud photographs on Page 12 and Page 13 were taken at Omaha Beach, Normandy, France Hangar Digest Page 13

436th Airlift Wing commander Col. Joel W. Safranek Members of the Walker and Tesmer families posed in discusses the meaning of Veterans Day during ceremo- front of the AMCM’s Christmas tree during a trip from nies held Nov. 11 inside the Museum hangar. their homes in Remsen, N.Y.

USAF photo/A1C Jonathan Harding

Onlookers watch as the Ground Zero flag is folded at the Paramnath Pooran of Smyrna, Del., looks on as niece AMCM Oct. 12. The flag was erected at the site of the Alicia Boodram of Trinidad takes a photo on the ramp World Trade Center shortly after the terrorist attacks of outside the AMCM hangar. “Whenever someone visits Sept. 11, 2001, and honors the sacrifices of 9/11 victims, me, I take them to the Museum,” Paramnath said. “I’m survivors, the military and first responders. fascinated every time I come here.”

New names added to AMCM’s Commemorative Garden An additional 18 names on memorial bricks were added to the walkway at the Air Mobility Command Museum’s Commemorative Garden in conjunction with Veterans Day 2019. The bricks, inscribed with names, organizations and other tributes, are added to the garden each Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

Because of formatting requirements, the information presented in this listing may not exactly match the inscription on the bricks. Page 14 Volume 20, Issue 1 To our members: you keep us soaring high The Air Mobility Command Muse- Papineau, Edward R. Perkowski, Pat- Jon Oatman, Mrs. William W. um Foundation could not do its job rick Perry, Ralph Pettersen, Lt. Col. Propst, William Robinson, John W. without the support of the airmen, for- William Pfeiffer (USAF, Ret.), Mike Rohland, Stephanie Rudewicz, Mat- mer airmen, members of the Air Phillips, John Piechule, Leslie Potter, thew J. Schack, Thomas B. Smith, Force’s sister services and civilians. Rebecca Pyeatt-Cumins, Caryn Sobel, Gene Somma, Ruth Ann They truly represent everyone whose Harold T. Reece, Roger Roberge, Lt. Tasker, Jerry M. Thomas, Louis spirits fly with those who guarded and Col. Donald E. Rynes (USAF, Ret.), Dr. Truckley, Richard Unruh, John I. still guard our nation’s skies. Joseph E. Salvatore, Charles Smith, Pat Way, and Dick Zuckerman. Here’s our annual listing of AMCM Smith, Vin Smith, SMSgt. Victor C Foundation members. Thanks for all Soreny (USAFR Ret.), James K. Stan- Squadron Commander you do! ton, Lt. Col. Ronald K. Stegall (USAF, Roger E. Aubrey, Thomas F. Bayard Ret.), CMSgt. Richard A. Strouse IV, Robert P. Becht Jr., Derek Beck- Crew Member (USAF, Ret.), man, Col. James H. Brittingham, Kenneth L. Ablett, MSgt. Vincent John E. Tripp, CMSgt. Robert L. (USAF, Ret.), Patrick Bucco, Drake Acquaviva Jr. (USAF) Ret.), Douglas Valeski (USAF, Ret.), MSgt. Harry E. Burd, Louis Chapman, SMSgt. Rodol- Basarab, James A. Benson, Richard B. Van Den Heuvel (USAF, Ret.), Jane fo Chastain (USAF, Ret.), Ronald Betlyon, David Bever, Bob Bourbon- Ward, William R. Wessman, John West- Combs, Charles S. Corkadel, Col. Al- nais, Col. Garnett Brown, (USAF, man, William Whited, Barry K. Wilson, bert R. Couture (USAF, Ret.), Ru- Ret.), Dennis H. Byrnes, John Calde- and Dr. Stephanie Wright. dolph Czeizinger, Dover International rone, Jan Caldwell, Richard Caldwell, Speedway Inc., SMSgt. Jack A. Egolf Steven Cambio, Neal Carlson, Scott Flight Crew Member (USAF, Ret.), Joseph R. Eisenhardt, Carnegie, D. John Cook, SMSgt. Rob- Roy Alexander, Donald E. Allen Jr., David Fiedler, ert J. Coyle (USAF, Ret.), Michael E. Eugene Alt, Maj. Dewey J. Barich Col. Robert W Ginn (USAF, Ret.), Derin, David Doyle, Alfred Diaz, Bar- (USAF, Ret.) Robert G, Blue, J. Barry MSgt. Charles E. Grant (USAF, Ret.) ry W. Fisher, Dr. Francis Flomerfelt, Brown, Lt. Col. John A. Burke, CMSgt. Brig. Gen. Gerald W. Harding, Ret., Thomas Galish, Paul L. George, William J. Carrow, Philip Carter, Charles R. Hayes, Kurt Hollenbach, Pierre Gillard, Stephen D. Gould, Don Maj. Michael Davidson (US Army, Phillip E. Hope, Sgt. Maj. Joseph W. L. Hall, Joseph Helbe, David G. Holt, Ret.), John DeFlavio, Doug Degraves, Krattinger (US Army, Ret), Steve J. Chuck Hutchings, James Keating, Jack Rich Dorre, Dennis Eck, George R. Krok, Keaveney, TSgt. Glenn E. Kerns, Edlin, Glenn A. Larson, Maj. Charles S. (USAF, Ret.), SSgt. Charles A. Kirby, Rose Marie Galbraith, Dennis W. Lyon (USAF, Ret.), Mr. and Mrs. Brian Kirk, Jeff Kirwan, SMSgt. Gary Gaughan, Michael R. Grady, Lt. Col. Walter Makarucha, Walter L. Martel, Kutsch (USAF, Ret.) Terry A. LaGier, Ronald Harner (USAF, Ret.), MSgt. Col. William O. McCabe (USAF, Richard Lane, Coy W. Leatherwood, James L. Heather (USAF, Ret.), William Ret.), Julian Metzger, Lt. Col. Richard Richard Levin, Gary Long, Col. L. Jackson, William Lee, William Miller (US Army, Ret.), Brett Nichol- Ronald H. Love, (USAF, Ret.), J. Lorenz, son, CMSgt. Clem F. O’Toole (USAF, Lt. Col. Larry Margulis, Robert N. TSgt. Sam Marinucci (USAF, Ret.), Ret.), Eileen Owsiany, Mazzarone, Joseph S. McDaniel III, Dennis Maroulas, Ted M. Marshall, MSgt. David J. Petr (USAF, Ret.), Steven M. Meredith, MSgt. Linwood Thomas R. Masino, MSgt. John F. Mas- Lt. Col. Lawrence Phillips (USAF, A. Miller (USAF, Ret.), Capt. Mur- ters (USAF, Ret.), Richard Matlack, Lt. Ret.), MSgt. Edwin A. Pratt (USAF, dock M. Moore (USAF, Ret.), Mark Col. Robert McKennett (US Army, Ret.), Peter Reyes, Thomas Rood, Mougel, Frank Nartowicz, J. Michael Ret.), Charles Moller, Bruce Moran, CMSgt. Paul Roy Jr. (USAF, Ret.), Novak, Andrew Ostrowski, MSgt. Mary C. Neiman, CMSgt. Jimmy Nolan Elizabeth Schulze, Phyllis Scully, William D. Owens, Dr. Patricia (USAF, Ret.), Janice E. Sibbald, Bob Simmons, Hangar Digest Page 15

Mike Tatoian, Lt. Col. Robert W. Kay Hardie, Alan Harding, William F. Stephan, Col. Edward S. Stokes III, C. Turner, Edwin T. Wall, Philip L. Hare, Col. Richard B. Harper Jr. Joseph Styles, Walsh Jr., Lt. Col. Steve Welde, (USAF, Ret.), Isaac T. Harrison, Paul Kevin Taha, James T. Thompson, (USAF, Ret.), and Dave Wilson Hartwick, Col. Eugene A. Hebert Rev. E. Arthur Titus, Jeff Townsend, (USAF, Ret.), Alexandre Hedayat, Lt. Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. Troise, Andrew Group Commander Col. Harry E. Heist (USAF, Ret.), Lt. Turlington, Col. Emmett Venett Jr. John L. McClure, Robert C. Mon- Col. Kevin Higginbotham (USAF, (USAF, Ret.), Victor V. Ventura, roe, Robert J. Penny, Jon Sellin, and Ret.), Peter Hollenbach, Chester Hol- The Honorable R. Thomas Wagner, Keith D. Wentzel lingsworth, Ronald N. Howdershelt, Sgt. Richard L. Wahl, Larry R. Warfel, Lt. Col. Robert B. Jenkins (USAF, William Welser Jr., Lt. Gen. William Life Member Ret.), MSgt. Bill Judd, Kent Construc- Welser III, (USAF, Ret.), Phil White, Mike Adkins. TSgt. Judy R. Aiken, tion Company, SMSgt. Bruce P. Key- Alonzo B. Wickers, Don M. Wiggins, Col. Diego X. Alvarez (USAFR, Ret.), ser (USAF, Ret.), Col. Robert J. King, Brig. Gen. Kennard R. Wiggins (DE Timothy Anderson, Jonathan R. An- Jack Kinyon, John J. Kinyon, MSgt. ANG, Ret.), MSgt. Robert H. Wikso drews, SMSgt. and Mrs. Bernard Franklin K. Kreisher (US Army, Ret.), (USAF, Ret.), Dewalt J. Willard Jr., Col. Arinsberg, Ronald Barnak, Paul Bech- Gen. Walter Kross (USAF, Ret.), David Wuest, CMSgt, Michael Wysong ly, Virginia Behan, John Beiser, Lt. Rev. Joseph P. LaMar, James A. Lar- (USAF, Ret.), MSgt. Roger C. Yorde Col. Robert A. Bell Jr., (USAF, Ret.), kin, Col. Mel Larsen (USAF, Ret.), Jo (USAF, Ret.), SMSgt. Tom Young, and Robert M. Berglund, Richard A. Bis- Anne G. Larsen, Douglas J. Lau, MSgt. Mr. and Mrs. Paul A. Zahn sonnette, Doris Ann Bohannon Coffey, Lionel L. Leblanc (USAF, Ret.), MSgt. Col. and Mrs. Charles W. Bradley James R. Leech (USAF, Ret.), Bob Eagle Donor (USAF, Ret.), Edward H. Bridge, Maj. Leicht, M. Dean Leister, Michael Leis- Bob Carmean, Mary S. Jones, Johnny Ralph Briggs (USAF, Ret.), David ter, Jane Marshall, CMSgt. George D. R. Jones, David C. Nathan, Joseph C. Brock, MSgt. Jeffrey A. Brown McDuffie (USAF, Ret.), Denis Rivard, and Col. Robert P. Walsh, (USAF, Ret.), William Buckingham, McGlynn, Robert Mench, Rodney W. USAF, Ret. George P. Bundy, Brig. Gen. Richard Moore, Jim Noble, Chuck Nunan, B. Bundy (USAF, Ret.), David Burke, Maj. Sage H. Olson, Daniel T. Silver Eagle Donor Col. John W. Burt (USAF, Ret.), Al- O'Rourke, Patricia Overman, Lt. Col. Greg Moffitt berto Capone, Carleton E. Carey Sr., Donna Parry, Lt. Col. J.C. Parry, Bradley W. Carnegie, Capt. Tom SMSgt. Ronald J. Pawlowski (USAF, Gold Eagle Donor Carper (USNR, Ret.), Paul L. Cathell Ret.), Jim Petruzella, Sgt. 1st Class William H. Willis Jr., Donald M. Clark, Brig. Gen. Ed- Emilio M. Pinera (US Army, Ret.), PPG ward R. Clark, Gil Cohen, David IND INC., Caroline J. Prickett, Brig. Platinum Eagle Donor Cohen, Roger H. Cole, Chris Con- Gen. Michael J. Quarnaccio (USAFR, Col. George H. Chabbott (USAF, nor, Edie Crank, Diane Crom, Ret.), Ret.), Michael S. Estes, and Howell M. Shirley Cunningham, MSgt. William H. Ralph (USAF, Estes III Ernest Davison, Lt. Col. Robert J. Ret.), CMSgt. Dallas L. Ray (USAF, De Lar (USAF, Ret.), Charles L. Ret.), Maj. Hans Reigle (USAF, Ret.), (Current as of 31 Dec. 2019) Dickerson, Lt. Gen. Robert Dierker Priscilla J. Ritter- (USAF, Ret.), William J. DiMondi, shofer, James E. Sandra. Dobbins, James L. Dunn, Col. Roberts, CMSgt. Kenneth W. Durham, Timothy Egan, George Roof Billie Westergard Kenneth C. Eith, Lt. Col. and Mrs. (USAF, Ret.), Brian Paul J. Engstenberg (USAF, Ret.), Roth, John F. Longtime AMCM tour guide Billie Bonnie Episcopo, Col. Arthur G. Eric- Royston, Jean D. Westergard, 79, passed away Oct. 4, 2019, son (USAF, Ret.), Lt. Col. Roger L. Runge, Joel M. at home. Billie was a 22-year veteran of the U.S. Air Evans (USAF, Ret.), Col. George W. Rutenberg, Claire Force and the Delaware Air National Guard. Findlay (USAF, Ret.), Aaron Fisher, Lyn Saxon, Jay L. He was a project engineer for DuPont, retir- Marquis Fjelsted, Andrew S. Fleming, Schmukler, James ing in 1992, and a contractor for DuPont and Lt. Col. Gerald F. Foss (USAF, Ret.), Schultz, Lt. Col. Sargent & Lundy. Peter Franco, Mike Frebert, MSgt. Robert A. Sheppard Submitted photo He is survived by Sylvia, his wife of 58 William H. Freeman (USAF, Ret.), (USAF, Ret.), Col. years, four children, Shelly Westergard and Eric Getz, Lt. Col. Joseph Gilfillan III, and Mrs. Howard G. Holly Westergard, both of Wilmington, Del., a son and daughter- Sholl Jr. Col. Don in-law, William and Patricia Westergard of Newark, Del., and a Lt. Col. Paul Gillis (USAFR, Ret.), daughter and son-in-law, Lara Lea and Chris Tozer, also of New- Maj. David A. Godek (USAF, Ret.), Sloan (USAFR, ark; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren and many be- Mack Graham, Lt. Col. Justus W. Ret.), Lt. Col. Ken- loved nieces and nephews. Gromme (US Army, Ret.), neth H. Smith Donations in Billie’s name may be made to the AMCM at Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Hallett, Mr. (USAF, Ret.), Silas amcmuseum.org/support-the-museum. and Mrs. Edward T. Hammond Jr., Page 16 Volume 20, Issue 1 John Wesley Methodist Episcopal Church Cemetery a reminder of Dover AFB’s past Visitors approaching the Air Mobility Human remains tossed up by the ground- Command Museum on Delaware Route 9 hogs were reburied in a communal grave first will encounter an unusual sight: a using a casket provided by the base. group of headstones, fenced off from the The $70,000 project was completed using highway, near the AMCM’s gate. money from the base’s environmental con- The 18 markers are all that’s left of the servation fund. former John Wesley African Methodist Episcopal Church and its cemetery. The 700 cemeteries long-abandoned churchyard is part of the A 2013 report by the Department of De- land making up Dover Air Force Base, hav- fense on maintenance practices for military ing been purchased by the Department of cemeteries showed that while several DoD Defense as part of a 1990 expansion. installations include such cemeteries on Although fenced off and generally not their property, many more are home to ci- accessible to the public, Museum visitors vilian cemeteries. can stop for a few minutes to look at the The study, which did not specifically Descendants of Rachel Demby, who died grounds through the chain-link fence. address the John Wesley Church cemetery in 1922, gathered around her grave in the John Wesley Methodist Episcopal Church at Dover AFB, found at least 700 civilian Cemetery during the cemetery’s rededica- Vandalism and neglect graveyards are within the confines of mili- tion ceremony in May 2009. The headstone The burial ground was purchased for the tary installations. Most of those are on U.S. shows damage caused by vandals shoot- church in 1867 by its parishioners, many of Army posts. ing at it over the years. whom were former slaves. The cemeteries run the gamut from The wooden building housing the Wesley known burials without any markers to those tion, whose members shared a common church had been built that year and the con- with large and sometimes ornate tombs. belief in God with their white brethren, but gregation experienced its heyday between Like the Wesley cemetery, these predate the who worshiped separately from them be- 1880 and 1899. As it entered the 20th cen- military’s occupation of the sites. Some of cause of the color of their skin. tury, however, membership declined and the surveyed graveyards still were under the “What this means to me is the best of the church had been closed by 1940. The care of their parent churches and even ac- America,” said the Rev. Winton M. Hill III, building was severely damaged six years cepted burials, while others, like that at presiding elder of the Delaware Annual later and demolished in 1950. Dover, had been abandoned. Conference of the African Methodist Epis- It’s estimated between 140 and 160 peo- The 2013 study found there is no set copal Church. “I see this as an American ple were buried on the grounds, including guidance for maintaining these old cemeter- story, not an African-American story. some Civil War veterans. But only about ies and no funding provided for their opera- “It means we are one country,” he said at 100 markers remained as late as 1950, and tion and maintenance. the time. many of those slowly disappeared as the This did not mean that such cemeteries It was a good day, decided the descendants site lay untended for more than 40 years. were being neglected by installation com- of Rachel Demby, as they gathered about her Only 13 still stand today, due to vandalism manders. grave. Demby, who had American Indian on the then-unfenced property. Some re- The report noted that “Generally, com- blood, was the mother of at least 12. Her maining stones are cratered by bullets, the manders are maintaining the civilian ceme- grave stands alone in the middle of the ceme- result of their being used in target practice. teries by: allowing and maintaining access tery; the family speculates her husband, Despite periodic attempts to clean up the to the sites, cutting the grass around and Thomas, lies in a nearby unmarked grave. 3/4-acre site after it was annexed into the inside each cemetery, removing fallen trees “It is good we’ve given these people the base, the former churchyard remained a sad and limbs and maintaining (if present), a recognition they deserve,” Lewis Jones, sight, with poison ivy, mattresses, weeds, fence around the site.” Demby’s great-grandson, said at the cere- and garbage littering the grounds. Ground- However, most commanders tended to mony. “They deserve our respect and the hogs had dug into many of the graves, scat- keep a hands-off approach to maintaining honor of recognizing they existed. Without tering human bones among the headstones. tombs and headstones, not taking action to them, we would not be here.” Beginning in 1995, the base began a se- repair the structures if they somehow were “It’s great to know [the cemetery] will be ries of studies with an eye toward cleaning damaged. preserved and that we can pass it on down up the grounds, a project that evolved into a The report concluded with a recommen- the family line,” added Daniel Jones of Do- complete restoration effort. dation to set operating standards and a dis- ver, another great-grandson. “We can come The 436th Civil Engineering Squadron’s crete funding stream for the upkeep of these out here now and see where they are bur- Environmental Flight had overseen archaeo- civilian graveyards. ied.” logical investigations that located the foun- Today, the site is maintained by contrac- dations of the former church and plotted The recognition they deserve tors with the 436th CES, who regularly cut each known grave. As the restoration work The refurbished cemetery site was rededi- the grass and trim around the headstones commenced, the tombstones were marked cated on May 1, 2009, in a ceremony at- and fence line. A locked gate keeps possible using global positioning satellite technolo- tended by ministers from Methodist congre- vandals away. gy, then removed. Several feet of fill dirt gations to which the Wesley church once Access is allowed on a very limited basis, was added to smooth out the landscape and belonged. They were joined by officials and benches have been set up inside the a new fence installed with rodent barriers from Dover AFB and family members of fence for use by those infrequent visitors. extending at least three feet underground. those buried in the graveyard. This article includes information provid- With that work complete, the gravestones The event marked a closure of sorts for ed by the 436th AW Public Affairs were replaced. those associated with the lapsed congrega- Office. Hangar Digest Page 17 Page 18 Volume 20, Issue 1 Hangar Digest Page 19 AMC Museum Foundation Inc. P.O. Box 2024 Dover AFB, DE 19902-9988

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