US Navy Reserve Force Master Chief Chris Kotz stopped in to visit the very first Force Master Chief MCPO Richard “Dick” Johnson at the Museum recently. The event was video recorded for posterity and other USNR publicity purposes by Master Communication Specialist Second Class Merc Cuenca of Navy Public Affairs Support Element NW (NASWI Detachment).
Naval Air Station Whidbey Island opened its gates on June 22 for an annual Open House. The PBY Museum participants were Mike (Bones) Legere, Osaretin Omofonmwan, John Love, Stan Prince, Patty Henry, Wayne Hill and Sonny Starks. Wil Shellenberger supervised coordination.
John Hughes checks out the program with another student at the 2019 Washington Museum
Association Annual Conference in Spokane June 21st. (Photo by David Strohmeyer)
Museum volunteer Dave Strohmeyer puts final touches on the “Battle of Midway” remembrance display erected at the Freeland, WA library. John Hughes assisted in the endeavor. The battle occurred between June 4 – 7 1942 and gave the US Navy carrier aircraft a decisive advantage that turned the tide of WWII in the Pacific Theater. The display will be on exhibit at various libraries till the end of the year. (Photo by John Hughes)
82 guests joined NAS Whidbey Commanding Officer Matt Arny at the dual commemoration of the Battle of Midway and D-Day anniversaries. It was the 77th anniversary of the battle and the 75th of the D-Day invasion. The ceremony was held next to the PBY in the Museum’s aircraft display area.
From the Desks of Onee and Richard …
I have been volunteering as much as I can at the Museum thus far this year. Knee surgery has slowed me down a bit, but I know I am better because lately when I arrive at my car, I realize my walking stick is still back at the Museum!
It is always enjoyable to talk with our many donors. So many thank us for preserving history with our artifact displays, the PBY-5A, and our Homoja Hut. Often people who begin as donors join us as Museum members to further help support our mission.
Our […]
The PBY- Naval Air Museum’s 3rd Annual Dinner and Auction was a resounding
success. Over $43,000 was raised. Our Emcee, Mayor Bob Severns and Auctioneer,Chris Skinner, combined to keep guests entertained and their bid cards raised.
Dinner music was provided by a Saratoga Orchestra string quartet and the delicious meal was provided by Jackie Huerta’s Zanini Catering and Events.
“Spring is finally here; Winter is gone and the world begins anew…
again.”
Just as the seasons end and renew themselves, our hopes and dreams become final and we soldier on with accomplishments or new goals and dreams.
I was hoping to tell you about a land purchase for our new museum. It was a dream about to come true that would put us on track to fulfill the hopes, dreams and prayers of the founders of the PBY Memorial Foundation over twenty years ago.
As fate or luck (or finances) would have it, we were outbid on a piece of property we […]
Our bid for land north of Oak Harbor was unsuccessful. However, the Capital Improvement Task Force (CITF) still has other properties under review. The 3rd Annual Celebration of Flight Dinner and Auction was very successful. Cat Chat is going digital. In July, the annual mid-year fund raising drive gets underway.
As last quarter’s Cat Chat went to press, the CITF was submitting a bid on land for a new museum site. This land had been under review but came to market on short notice. Although we obtained a bank prequalification letter and submitted a bid above the City of Oak […]
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