Volunteer in the Spotlight

Winter, 2003-2004

“I’ve flown forty five different aircraft from hover to mach 2.1”. That’s one of the bits of wisdom Richard (Dick) Bushong relates to our visitors during his Thursday shift at the museum. And that is a statement that very few pilots can make. He goes on to explain that one of his favorite planes is the B-17. And it should be. Dick flew 28 missions in 1944 as co-pilot and pilot with the 569th Squadron of the 390th Bomb Group.

Dick spends most of his time here escorting visitors around the museum and passing on a great deal of the wisdom he accumulated in an airplane very much like the one in the center of our museum. His audiences are spellbound as he explains in great detail just how it was in the skies over Germany during World War II. Just like most of the volunteers, the first hour of Dick’s shift involves cleaning and organizing the museum in preparation for the many visitors that arrive each day.

After the war Dick left the service temporarily, only to return to his first love of flying. He retired in 1974 after some 30 years of active duty and the rank of Colonel. His career included a tour of Viet Nam in F-4’s and a considerable period of time testing a bunch of different airplanes on behalf of the U. S. Air Force.

Dick now lives with his wife Tina in Green Valley, Arizona, just a few minutes down the freeway from the museum. When he is not volunteering, he can usually be found on the golf course or pounding the keys on his computer. He just completed his first year of service at the 390th Memorial Museum.

Thanks Dick! Thanks for donating some of your busy life to us. We appreciate you!