Volunteer efforts recognized at annual appreciation pizza party
“You’ve all done a heck of a lot” – deserving of a pizza lunch.
Greenwood Military Aviation Museum volunteers gathered at the VP International Centre June 18, with the pizza and camaraderie a chance for the museum staff, society volunteer leadership, and 14 Wing Greenwood itself; to say thank you.
“Interior displays, interior and exterior restorations, Flight Ed tours, project teams – and we have big plans for the future,” said GMAM Society president Brian Handley.
He detailed some of the year’s highlights. 14 Wing members stepped forward to help guide Flight Ed Grade 6 school tours after the unexpected passing of program lead Gord Morse. 14 Air Maintenance Squadron made “unprecedented” contributions of time and talent on aircraft restoration projects. Real Property Operations personnel took great care of the museum building and grounds, including the memorial garden. Wing Imaging and The Aurora Newspaper provided important coverage, design and graphics support. Wing IT personnel added innovative technical help on the Beaufighter display, getting its lights and gun muzzles flashing. 404 (Long Range Patrol) Squadron members pitched in on accessioning projects.
Handley acknowledged all of that doesn’t come without approval from the top, and he thanked Colonel Luc Vachon for being a “tower of strength for the museum through his tenure.
“And – he’s expressed interest in joining the museum!” Handley said, wishing Vachon “blue skies and a tailwind” through his July change of command and retirement.
Vachon said it’s not hard to support the museum, its programs and volunteers: “the museum is the first thing people see, and your contributions make the wing look professional.
“I catch myself, every time I’m here or at Canex and see a family looking at a plane as I’m driving out: I want to go talk to them” and describe the aviation heritage – and opportunities – on display.
“I have pictures of myself ‘that high’ in front of a tire of a plane, something old…; later on, I joined the military. The air force is the coolest thing, in my mind. I started as a kid going to museums; I’ll finish as a grown-up kid, volunteering.”
Vachon takes a civilian job upon retirement, and asked the avid GMAM crew for a year’s grace before they try and badge him as a volunteer.
