From the Executive Director
by Tom Drugan

Summer, 2005

As we go to press Don Brooks is beginning to sell rides on Liberty Belle to the public. FAA approval was obtained in June 2005. This is really great news and culminates several years of effort by Don and his staff. Now people from all walks of life will be able to experience flight in the greatest airplane of World War II and learn about the courage and sacrifice of the men who served on these planes. Our museum will also benefit from these rides as Don is generously giving a one-year membership in the museum to everyone who purchases a ride. Don estimates that we may realize more than 100 new members per month when he gets up to full operation.

The schedule of appearances for Liberty Belle is now being finalized. As soon as that schedule is complete we will publish it in the J-Bulletin. In the meantime, you can follow their progress and offer financial support by going to their Internet site at www.libertyfoundation.org. Their next major air stop will be at the EAA Airventure show in Oshkosh, WI, July 24-31, 2005. Try to attend one of these shows, say hello to Don and marvel at the outstanding restoration job on his B-17.

Our nose art project is well under way with eleven new pictures mounted at the top of the south wall. Two more are in process and will be mounted shortly. Support for this project has been pretty good, but we have plans and space for twenty-five more. We really need help to complete this display and if anyone would like to sponsor a nose art, please contact Andy or Tom at the museum to see if your favorite plane is available. Take a look at page 8 for more information.

The 390th Bomb Group Veterans Association is holding their reunion in Washington D.C. September 20-25, 2005. Some of us from the museum will be in attendance. All descendants who are members of the 390th Memorial Museum are eligible to attend. Those who qualify have already received their registration packet. This is an event with a finite remaining life and descendants who wish to interact with our veterans should take advantage of this opportunity.

This quarter we are featuring two very nice items from the BX. On page 13 you will find special pricing on the popular, new Liberty Belle mug and on the exceptional DVD featuring your museum and several of our veterans.

It’s clearly summertime in Arizona! For the last several weeks our temperatures have topped 100 degrees every day. Fortunately the humidity is only about 5%. But dry heat or not, hot is hot! That translates to reduced attendance in your museum and of course a reduction in donations and merchandise sales. Now would be a good time to make your annual tax deductible donation to the museum. And if your membership is not up to date, please consider bringing it current today.

I’ll be seeing many of you in Washington D.C. in September!