With our first year as the new board of directors behind us, we have a lot to be proud of as we consider the new vector the Tower Museum Bassingbourn is on. Visitor levels are at the highest point in ten years and the museum’s displays have all been refreshed. A bold acquisition plan and an aggressive off-season upgrade schedule has us on track to make 2011 an even greater year for us. But these artifacts and displays have little meaning outside of the men they memorialize.
I have just returned from a week spent in Dayton, Ohio in the company of 91st BG Memorial Association members and their families during the 2010 Reunion. What an inspirational experience to stand among these men and listen to their matter-of-fact reflections on the sacrifices they made in the service of their country over 65 years ago. The tales were as fresh as if they’d occurred last year instead of early last century, and I never doubted I was in the presence of “our greatest generation”, as theirs has accurately been dubbed.
A highlight had to be a re-enactment of the 2 November 44 Merseburg mission brief; a mission 3 veterans in the room had flown on. A fabulous presentation by a dedicated group of 12 re-enactors led to a very candid discussion of the operations. The emotions in the mind of flyers who faced death on that mission (13 aircraft lost by the 91st BG on that day, with 49 airmen killed and 68 missing who all became prisoners of war) were all clearly on display in the room. As Don Freer remarked summing up that day’s mission, “it was so lonely in the barracks that night”.
Another highlight was a visit to the US Air Force Museum annex in which the Memphis Belle is undergoing restoration. What a sense of history one gets looking in the cockpit of that most famous B-17.
The Tower Museum was generously offered a slot at the business meeting of the 91 BGMA, and I briefed the membership on our successes over the past 12 months as we re-vitalized the museum.
My own personal highlight though was the opportunity to give one of the after dinner addresses to the veterans and other guests at the banquet that brought the week’s events to a close. What an honor to be able to reflect on their service and sacrifice on our behalf.
The whole experience greatly reinforced my sense of commitment to what we do here at the Tower Museum to commemorate their efforts at Bassingbourn from 1942 to 1945.
I have just returned from a week spent in Dayton, Ohio in the company of 91st BG Memorial Association members and their families during the 2010 Reunion. What an inspirational experience to stand among these men and listen to their matter-of-fact reflections on the sacrifices they made in the service of their country over 65 years ago. The tales were as fresh as if they’d occurred last year instead of early last century, and I never doubted I was in the presence of “our greatest generation”, as theirs has accurately been dubbed.
A highlight had to be a re-enactment of the 2 November 44 Merseburg mission brief; a mission 3 veterans in the room had flown on. A fabulous presentation by a dedicated group of 12 re-enactors led to a very candid discussion of the operations. The emotions in the mind of flyers who faced death on that mission (13 aircraft lost by the 91st BG on that day, with 49 airmen killed and 68 missing who all became prisoners of war) were all clearly on display in the room. As Don Freer remarked summing up that day’s mission, “it was so lonely in the barracks that night”.
Another highlight was a visit to the US Air Force Museum annex in which the Memphis Belle is undergoing restoration. What a sense of history one gets looking in the cockpit of that most famous B-17.
The Tower Museum was generously offered a slot at the business meeting of the 91 BGMA, and I briefed the membership on our successes over the past 12 months as we re-vitalized the museum.
My own personal highlight though was the opportunity to give one of the after dinner addresses to the veterans and other guests at the banquet that brought the week’s events to a close. What an honor to be able to reflect on their service and sacrifice on our behalf.
The whole experience greatly reinforced my sense of commitment to what we do here at the Tower Museum to commemorate their efforts at Bassingbourn from 1942 to 1945.
a note from our president
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