Volunteer in the Spotlight

Summer, 2004

“Hi ya Boss”!  The friendly, enthusiastic greeting rings out as soon as I walk in the door.  I know immediately that Brad Hayward is on the job at the volunteer desk.  Again, as usual, just as he has been nearly every week for almost ten years.

Neither rain nor heat nor aching bones can keep this stalwart from his appointed rounds at the 390^th Memorial Museum.  It’s fun to watch the visitors as they talk with him.  Brad has been there, done that, and when he talks people listen.

Young Brad Hayward joined the U. S. Army Air Corps in November 1939 and following bombardier school was qualified and rated as bombardier.  When the war broke out he was assigned to the 11^th Bombardment Group flying B-17s and participated in the battle of Midway in June 1942, and the Solomon Island campaign in July 1942.  He was commissioned in October 1943 and eventually was discharged in October 1945.

After the war Brad was employed by Boeing as a flight line mechanic/electronic technician.  Soon his skills were recognized and he joined their management team in 1956.  He retired and moved to Tucson in 1982.

We are all proud of you Brad.  Thanks for your service!