Volunteers in the Spotlight

Spring, 2002

Early Monday morning, and except for the whir of computers and occasional tap-tap of a keyboard, everything is still.  The museum does not open for another forty-five minutes although the office staff has been quietly busy for more than an hour.  Then, wafting up from the hangar floor, come voices, muted at first and then louder.  Soon the air is filled with the roar of vacuum cleaners and the swish of push brooms and window cleaners.  We know the “A Team” has arrived and soon the museum will be sparkling clean and ready for visitors.

In the photograph (above) from left to right, the “A Team” comprises Rich Carr, Richard Beaubien, Gene Radtke and Chuck Gavin.  Missing from the photo is one more important member of the team, Eddie Allen, who was called away on picture day.

Although the name “A Team” is a self designation, these men consistently bust their behinds to deserve the title.  Aggressive, friendly and knowledgeable, they seek out those visitors who are a little timid and make them feel right at home.  They engage airplane and World War II buffs in lively conversation and provide answers to their questions.  The “A Team” excels at enhancing the museum experience for all our visitors.

Rich Carr is a native of Northern California and an Air Force veteran.  A pipefitter by trade, Rich joined the museum in August 1999.

Richard Beaubien is from Glendale, California and an Air Force veteran with Korean War experience.  He spent thirty years with the U. S. Forest Service and was supervisor of the Olympic National Forest.  Richard joined us in April 1998.

Gene Radtke hails from San Jose, California.  His military experience is as a tank commander in the U. S. Army’s 4th Division.  A long time manager with Lockheed Martin Corporation, he began work as a volunteer with the museum in June 2001.

Chuck Gavin, from Chicago originally, served as a bombardier in the 457th Bomb Group logging 35 missions.  Chuck was an educator in civilian life, both classroom and administration.  He started with the museum in February 1998.

Eddie Allen (right) is from N. Olmsted, Ohio and spent 22 months as a guest of the German army.  He is a veteran of the 379th Bomb Group.  His civilian career was spent with Eaton Corporation as production supervisor.  His service with the museum goes back to 1994.

Thank you gentlemen.  We are proud and happy to have you with us!