In honor of Veteran’s Day, the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in McMinnville, Ore., will host a F-15A Eagle dedication ceremony on Thursday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m. The museum also will feature an exhibit on military uniforms throughout the month of November.
The newly acquired F-15A flew for the Oregon Air National Guard and was de-militarized and repainted through the kindness of museum board member CMSgt. John Rasmussen and the Oregon Air National Guard. It is on loan from the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.
Lt. Col. Kevin Bode, retired, of the 123rd Fighter Squadron of the Oregon Air National Guard will be the emcee for the dedication, and speakers include Col. Lars Granath of the 123rd; Lt. Col. Jim Meckoll, retired, of the 123rd; CMSgt. Rasmussen of the 142nd Fighter Group of the Oregon Air National Guard; and Col. Matt Shuster of the 123rd.
In addition to the F-15 dedication, the museum will be hosting a Red Cross blood drive from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and have children’s crafts available from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Starting Tuesday, Nov. 2, the museum will be displaying military uniforms from World War II through the Bosnian War. The uniforms, which belong to the Greater Salem Area Veterans Organization, include a photo of its owner along with that individual’s story. The exhibit will be on display throughout the month of November in honor of our veterans.
All veterans events are free with museum admission. For more information: 503-434-4185 or SpruceGoose.org
Remember Pearl Harbor — Keep America Alert!
(Now deceased) America’s oldest living Medal of Honor recipient, living his 101st year is former enlisted Chief Petty Officer, Aviation Chief Ordnanceman (ACOM), later wartime commissioned Lieutenant John W. Finn, U. S. Navy (Ret.). He is also the last surviving Medal of Honor, “The Day of Infamy”, Japanese Attack on the Hawaiian Islands, Naval Air Station, Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Territory of Hawaii, 7 December 1941.
(Now deceased) ‘Navy Centenarian Sailor’, 103 year old, former enlisted Chief Petty Officer, Aviation Chief Radioman (ACRM, Combat Aircrewman), later wartime commissioned Chief Warrant Officer Julio ‘Jay’ Ereneta, U. S. Navy (Ret.), is a thirty year career veteran of World War One and World War Two. He first flew aircrewman in August 1922; flew rearseat Radioman/Gunner (1920s/1930s) in the tactical air squadrons of the Navy’s first aircraft carriers, USS LANGLEY (CV-1) and USS LEXINGTON (CV-2).
Visit my photo album tribute to these centenarian veteran shipmates and other Pearl Harbor survivors:
http://news.webshots.com/album/123286873BFAAiq
http://news.webshots.com/album/141695570BONFYl
San Diego, California