|
Bill Klaers and James Stewart from the Cockpit
Greetings! ,
It's been a busy time at the National Museum of World War II Aviation. Board members, our Project Manager and volunteers have been hard at work meeting potential supporters, briefing the media, writing grants, and refining the tools to tell the Museum story.
The support of El Pomar Foundation is special to us because it is a testimony to the importance and value of this Museum as a national and international resource. We have brought our first World War II veteran onto the Board. Look for his remarkable story in a future newsletter.
Your individual and organizational support is needed and cherished. Your support honors all those who were a part of this history and recognizes the key core values that were demonstrated by our nation in a time of dire crisis. It is a clear lesson in national cohesiveness and pride which must be shared with future generations.
James Stewart
Bill Klaers
The National Museum of World War II Aviation |
|
 |
|
|
El Pomar Foundation Shows Support with Key Grant |
Broad smiles and deep satisfaction were the responses as the Board of Directors heard the news: El Pomar Foundation, one of the oldest and most respected philanthropic organizations in the United States, is providing funding for the National Museum of World War II Aviation. It was a "Wow!" moment.
El Pomar's generous acknowledgement of the Museum's mission and thoughtful planning and development is a wonderful way to wrap up 2010!
There are powerful lessons from WWII for Americans to remember and use now, especially in these times: - The WWII generation faced rationing, took on recycling on a massive scale, bought government bonds to help pay for the war effort and built the "Arsenal of Democracy".
- Women entered the workforce in significant numbers for the first time.
- America developed the concept of continual improvement in the aircraft and procedures we took to war.
- Americans shared a common goal, irrespective of our politics, religion, ethnicity, or race.
We believe that El Pomar's support for the National Museum of World War II Aviation is because of recognition that these lessons must be preserved, presented to young Americans through technology that they will relate to, and serve as a basis for renewed perspective on our nation's values.
At a total of $40,000 from El Pomar and the Anna Keesling Ackerman Fund of El Pomar, the gift is a solid addition to the goal of raising $500,000 for the next phase of Museum development. The next phase is that of developing the schematic designs already begun by Gallagher and Associates of Bethesda, Maryland, one of the world's premier museum design firms.
With these designs in hand the Museum's Board of Directors will solicit major industries, seeking the support needed to create specific exhibits and rooms in the Museum, and the technology required to capture and convey the history of American airpower during WWII.
This phase of fundraising is absolutely essential to the completion of the Museum. Again: absolutely essential. Because with the next phase of design, major donors will see the specifics of what they are funding. Construction of the Museum's educational facility depends on that funding.
PLEASE donate and help us reach the $500,000 needed to move forward. |
|
| | "December 7, 1941: A date which will live in infamy." | |
With those words President Franklin Delano Roosevelt forever underlined the date, as he asked a joint session of Congress for a declaration of war against Japan. A little-known fact: the United States actually declared war on December 8, the day the speech was made. December 7 is National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, having been designated in 1994 as a day on which to remember the Americans who lost their lives in the surprise attack.
 President Roosevelt's message was not a total surprise because Americans' Sunday leisure had been interrupted with news bulletins announcing the devastation at Pearl Harbor from the bombing attack. We can only imagine the feelings they had as they gathered around their radios and listened for news updates. They could not know then how the war would impact their lives.
Today we lose members of the World War II generation virtually hourly. We must not let their accomplishments and the life lessons that they can impart be lost along with their physical presence.
It is for that reason that the Founders and the Board of Directors of the National Museum of World War II Aviation feel the pressure of time as we work to move the Museum to the next level.
We know that we ask frequently for funds and donations. We do so because we owe our energies and dedication to the men and women who worked to preserve our freedoms during World War II. The National Museum of World War II Aviation is a lasting tribute to them.
Please join with us. |
|
|
|
|
