Volunteer in the Spotlight

Spring, 2003

“Come on in and look around and let us know if you have any questions”. The tone, enthusiasm and Nebraska accent clearly identify the speaker. Up in the office we know that Vern Hutt has arrived and is on the job again.

No one can resist Vern’s request to sign the guest book. Few of our guests escape his vigilance. And he seems to have a special talent for drawing out the generosity in our visitors who frequently deposit bills into the donation box.

Vern was a waist gunner in the 568th Squadron and was on the plane piloted by Don Drugan, Tom Drugan’s brother. He was one of four to escape when the plane was blasted by flak while returning from a mission into Germany. Following a harrowing parachute descent, he spent the balance of the war in a Stalag as a guest of the German government.

Vern has been a volunteer since 1995. His 100-meter sprint times have suffered because of an injury he sustained in the parachute jump in 1944, but he is always here on his assigned day doing the great job we have become accustomed to from him.

Thanks, Vern, we truly appreciate you!

Tom Drugan