Comox Air Force Museum
Timeline
Heritage Stone Dedication CeremonyThe Comox Valley Air Force Museum Association Cordially invites you to the Heritage Stone Dedication Ceremony When: Sunday, 20 September 2015 Time: 2 P.M. Please be seated by 1:45 Where: Protestant Chapel across the road from Heritage Air Park Suggested Dress: Business Casual Guest of Honour: Colonel Tom Dunne, Commander 19 Wing Comox, or his delegate The 2015 ceremony will follow the Battle of Britain Parade. The Master of Ceremonies will read out the name on each stone. Reception to follow in the Comox Air Force Museum. RSVP: by 14 September 2015 Museum: (250) 339-8162 E-mail: cafm.lib@gmail.com Canada Post: CVAFMA Building 11, 19 Wing Comox PO Box 1000, Station Main Lazo, BC, V0R 2K0 Please let us know how many people will be with you. Participants are requested to bring an umbrella in case of inclement weather. If you are unable to attend, we will be pleased to send you a photograph of your Heritage Stone.- INQUIRIES ABOUT THE HERITAGE STONES[caption id="attachment_3201" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] HERITAGE STONES DEDICATION CEREMONY[/caption] Recently, we've had a number of inquiries about the purchase of Heritage Stones. Our project ran from 2006 - 2017 and is now complete. Should you wish to honour a loved one, you might consider making a donation to our Museum Association in their name. This can be done here at the Museum or through Canada Helps. Donations are very important as they help us maintain and add to the exhibits in our Main Gallery and the Heritage Air Park.
FS LEIGHTON OGILVIE SCOTT ~ HOW A FAMILY KEPT THE MEMORIES ALIVEIn the study of history, a primary source includes a document, diary, manuscript, perhaps a recording that was created at the time under study. It serves as an original source of information about the topic. A primary source can be a person with direct knowledge of a situation, or a document written by such a person. By sifting through the documents in any donation, we can learn about the donor or a relative of the donor. We can “create” a personal story from letters and records in that donation. [caption id="attachment_11003" align="alignleft" width="300"] Leighton and fellow crew member Pottle ~ England, 1942[/caption] A recent donation to our Museum was of interest to me on a few levels… The donation included information about Canadian FS Leighton Ogilvie Scott, a former employee of the Bank of Nova Scotia. I learned that the Canadian banks followed their employees who enlisted in the war… that they took time to inform their branches about their former employees during the war, and that they took time to honour those who lost their lives in the war… It seemed to me that the Bank treated Scott as a member of their family. Further, I found that the family who made the donation made it a priority to keep a loved one’s memories alive… When I asked the donor how the variety of documents had come to him over time, he responded, “My grandparents, Marie and Harry, would have received the letters from the War Read more...
60th ANNIVERSARY of NORADYou may recall a previous post introducing the CF-18 Demo Team's 2018 colour scheme. The design honours NORAD. Today marks the 60thAnniversary of the North American Air Defense Command ( NORAD ). In order to establish a defensive air shield over North America during the Cold War, the Canadian and American governments signed the NORAD agreement on May 12th, 1958. A bi-national command was created that would be responsible for defending North America’s airspace from external threats. NORAD had its headquarters in Colorado; military personnel and assets from both countries were dedicated to the defense of North America. NORAD has evolved over time to meet the changing threats, such as the intercontinental ballistic missile threats that prompted the establishing of the operations complex within Cheyenne Mountain, designed to withstand a nuclear attack. It expanded its mission to include tactical warning and assessment of possible air, missile, or space attacks on North America; in 1981, the agreement updated the name of the command to the North American Aerospace Defense Command. Further, following the September 11, 2001 attacks, NORAD began conducting Operation Noble Eagle to defend our two countries against terrorist activity within or outside the nations’ borders. In 2006, the agreement was renewed, adding a maritime warning mission, which includes shared awareness and understanding of the activities conducted in the two countries' maritime approaches, maritime areas, as well as internal waterways. NORAD has most certainly had "THE WATCH" and is dedicated to continue to meet ever changing needs.
1953 Ford ¼ Ton Truck[et_pb_section bb_built="1" _builder_version="3.0.106" border_width_all="3px" border_color_all="#0c71c3" custom_padding="0px|0px|0|0px" next_background_color="#000000"][et_pb_row _builder_version="3.0.47" background_size="initial" background_position="top_left" background_repeat="repeat"][et_pb_column type="4_4"][et_pb_text _builder_version="3.0.106"] M38A1 CDN Even before World War II ended in 1945, the Cold War was clearly coming, and Canada and its Allies started rearmament programs. In 1951, the Willys-Overland Motor Company of Toledo, Ohio began production of the M38 ¼ Ton Truck, more commonly known as “Jeep”, to replace the World War II Jeeps of the US Army. It was a light general purpose cargo and personnel vehicle, which was adaptable to reconnaissance, command, communications, medical, and other logistical roles. The Ford Motor Company of Windsor, Ontario built the M38 CDN, under licence from Willys, for the Canadian Forces. As the M38 CDN production began in 1952, a newer model, the M38A1 CDN was already in the works, and this line ran over a span of two decades and through three models before being phased out in the early 1970’s. As of 1971, there were 2,266 Jeeps in Canadian service.Even before World War II ended in 1945, the Cold War was clearly coming, and Canada and its Allies started rearmament programs. In 1951, the Willys-Overland Motor Company of Toledo, Ohio began production of the M38 ¼ Ton Truck, more commonly known as “Jeep”, to replace the World War II Jeeps of the US Army. It was a light general purpose cargo and personnel vehicle, which was adaptable to reconnaissance, command, communications, medical, and other logistical roles. The Ford Motor Company of Windsor, Ontario built the M38 CDN, under Read more...
MAY 8th ~ VE DAYToday is VE Day, a day of remembrance, the day that commemorates the end of World War II, specifically in Europe. Victory in Europe Day, generally referred to as VE Day, was the public holiday celebrated on May 8th, 1945 to mark the formal acceptance by the World War II allies of Germany's unconditional surrender of its armed forces. However, the formal surrender of the German forces that occupied the Channel Islands didn't occur until the following day. [caption id="attachment_11064" align="aligncenter" width="244"] Field Marshall Keitel signing the final surrender terms, May 8, 1945[/caption] Upon the defeat of Germany, celebrations erupted throughout the world. In the United Kingdom, more than a million people celebrated in the streets to mark the end of the European part of the war. In London, crowds massed in Trafalgar Square, up the Mall to Buckingham Palace, where King George VI, Queen Elizabeth, and Prime Minister Winston Churchill appeared on the balcony before the crowds. [caption id="attachment_11061" align="aligncenter" width="640"] People dancing in the streets of London, May 8, 1945 (photo credit BBC)[/caption] [caption id="attachment_11062" align="aligncenter" width="468"] Dancing in Piccadilly Circus (photo credit BBC)[/caption] [caption id="attachment_11063" align="aligncenter" width="243"] Churchill waving to the crowds, Whitehall, London, on the day he confirmed the war with Germany was over[/caption]
AL WILSON’S CARTOONS ~ MAY EDITION[caption id="attachment_10890" align="alignleft" width="150"] AL WILSON[/caption] It's our honour to continue to share Al Wilson's work for all of you to enjoy. These two are from Al's scrapbook collection: [caption id="attachment_10893" align="aligncenter" width="1316"] SPEEDERS BEWARE[/caption] [caption id="attachment_10894" align="aligncenter" width="810"] THE DECISION WAS NO GREAT PROBLEM[/caption]- THE WICKENBY NEWSLETTER ~ MAYThis is another in our series: the Wickenby Register Newsletter. The newsletters were printed twice yearly; they include information about 12 Squadron RAF, memories of service men and women, the occasional recipe, stories of times past… But perhaps the thing that spoke to both Mel and me when we saw them was the inclusion of a poem on the back of each issue. [caption id="attachment_10322" align="aligncenter" width="787"] TRIBUTE TO WAAF[/caption] [caption id="attachment_10321" align="aligncenter" width="782"] SHINY TWELVE[/caption]
- FROM THE GALLERY ~ ELSIE MACGILL, A CANADIAN ICONElsie MacGill The story of Elsie MacGill is an amazing tale of brains, education and drive. The story begins before Elsie was born. Her mum, Helen, was an amazing person in her own right. Helen was the first woman in the empire to earn a Bachelor’s Degree (Music, 1886). By 1890 Helen had completed her second degree in the arts, eventually going on to get a masters Degree in Mental and Moral Philosophy. To reinforce this amazing career, she also taught herself law, becoming the first female judge in BC! (1917) Elsie was born in Vancouver, on the 27 March 1905. She was the first of two girls and also a sister to two half-brothers. Elsie was a keen student, entering the University of Toronto in 1923. She graduated four years later as the first woman to graduate from the engineering dept. with an electrical engineering degree (age 22). At this point, Elsie was hired by the Pontiac car company as an engineer. This made her the very first woman to work as a practising engineer. When the company began to build aircraft, Elsie was bitten by the flying bug. Working during the day, she began part-time studies at the University of Michigan. She graduated in 1929 with a master’s degree in aeronautical engineering. This made her the first woman in the world to hold an aeronautical degree! This helped Elsie get a job at the Fairchild aircraft company in 1934. she gained four years’ experience working Read more...
VIRTUAL TOUR[et_pb_section bb_built="1" _builder_version="3.0.105" background_color="rgba(0,24,73,0.83)" next_background_color="rgba(0,24,73,0.64)"][et_pb_row custom_padding="27px|0px|76px|0px" _builder_version="3.0.47" background_size="initial" background_position="top_left" background_repeat="repeat"][et_pb_column type="4_4"][et_pb_testimonial portrait_url="https://comoxairforcemuseum.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/images.jpeg" quote_icon="off" _builder_version="3.2" use_background_color="off" background_layout="dark"] PRESENTING OUR VIRTUAL MUSEUM TOUR Many thanks to Michael Tian who created the 3D scan for us, as well as to Andrew and Mia from North Island Proper Measure Limited for their editing. Their generous support allows us to share this unique tour with you! [/et_pb_testimonial][et_pb_code _builder_version="3.2" text_orientation="center"]<iframe width='853' height='480' src='https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=hybQkMXRH6u&brand=0' frameborder='0' allowfullscreen allow='vr'></iframe>[/et_pb_code][et_pb_divider show_divider="off" height="40px" _builder_version="3.2"] [/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label="Our physical address is Military Row, Lazo, BC V0R 2K0 Text" _builder_version="3.0.106" background_layout="dark"] Our physical address is Military Row, Lazo, BC V0R 2K0 [/et_pb_text][et_pb_cta title="Please Support the Comox Air Force Museum" button_url="https://comoxairforcemuseum.ca/donate/" button_text="Make a Donation" _builder_version="3.0.106" body_font="||||||||" body_font_size="20px" border_width_all="2px" border_color_all="#ffffff" custom_button="on" button_font="||||||||" button_use_icon="off" box_shadow_style="preset3" box_shadow_style_button="preset3" global_module="10640" saved_tabs="all"] Primary funding for the care and preservation of our artifacts comes from donations and grants to the Comox Valley Air Force Museum Association. [/et_pb_cta][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built="1" admin_label="Frontpage blog section" background_color="rgba(0,24,73,0.64)" _builder_version="3.0.105" custom_padding="0|0px|0|0px" prev_background_color="rgba(0,24,73,0.83)" global_module="10645"][et_pb_row admin_label="row" global_parent="10645" _builder_version="3.0.105" background_size="initial" background_position="top_left" background_repeat="repeat"][et_pb_column type="1_4"][et_pb_blurb admin_label="Museum Blurb" global_parent="10645" title="Museum" url="https://comoxairforcemuseum.ca/about-us/" use_circle="on" circle_color="#ffffff" use_circle_border="on" image="https://comoxairforcemuseum.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/CAFM-Museum.png" background_layout="dark" _builder_version="3.0.105" background_size="initial" background_position="top_left" background_repeat="repeat" text_orientation="center" animation="off"] [/et_pb_blurb][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_4"][et_pb_blurb admin_label="Collections Blurb" global_parent="10645" title="Collections" url="https://comoxairforcemuseum.ca/our-collections/" use_circle="on" circle_color="#ffffff" use_circle_border="on" image="https://comoxairforcemuseum.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/CAFM-Collections.png" background_layout="dark" _builder_version="3.0.105" background_size="initial" background_position="top_left" background_repeat="repeat" text_orientation="center" animation="off"] [/et_pb_blurb][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_4"][et_pb_blurb admin_label="Library Blurb" global_parent="10645" title="Library" url="https://comoxairforcemuseum.ca/library/" use_circle="on" circle_color="#ffffff" use_circle_border="on" image="https://comoxairforcemuseum.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/CAFM-library.png" background_layout="dark" _builder_version="3.0.105" background_size="initial" background_position="top_left" background_repeat="repeat" text_orientation="center" animation="off"] [/et_pb_blurb][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_4"][et_pb_blurb admin_label="Heritage Airpark Blurb" global_parent="10645" title="Heritage Airpark" url="https://comoxairforcemuseum.ca/heritage-air-park/" use_circle="on" circle_color="#ffffff" use_circle_border="on" image="https://comoxairforcemuseum.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/CAFM-Heritage-airpark.png" background_layout="dark" _builder_version="3.0.105" background_size="initial" background_position="top_left" background_repeat="repeat" text_orientation="center" animation="off"] [/et_pb_blurb][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]
THE VALUE OF VOLUNTEERING ~ REFLECTIONS FROM OUR VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR[caption id="attachment_9922" align="alignleft" width="217"] JON AMBLER[/caption] As we come to the end of National Volunteer Week, I think it appropriate to conclude with the reflections of our Comox Air Force Museum Volunteer Coordinator, Jon Ambler. " Volunteers are an increasingly important element of the Canadian workforce in general; at the Comox Air Force Museum, however, they are absolutely essential. Our volunteers bring a wealth of life experience, diverse skills, enthusiasm for the task at hand, a strong teamwork ethos and dedication. There is no element of Comox Air Force Museum operations not touched by our volunteers; in fact many areas such as the Library, Heritage Team, Association Board, and Collections Management are done 100% by volunteers. Most importantly, we know the quality of our visitors' experience can only be as good as the volunteers who interact with them. I am proud to say, this is an area where we shine! Our volunteers give so much; but what do they get? They can, and do, take great pride in the fact that they are preserving and celebrating Canadian military aviation history, our noble work! They get the opportunity to showcase their hard-won skills and knowledge, contribute to our ongoing development, and learn new things as they go. They get to work in a collegial, positive and supportive social setting. Finally, they know they are appreciated by staff and visitors alike. I can't say it too often ~ to each and every Comox Air Force Museum volunteer, thank you, thank you, thank Read more...-
THE VALUE OF VOLUNTEERING ~ “A HUGE VOID TO FILL?”[caption id="attachment_5868" align="alignleft" width="300"] MEL, IN THE CENTRE WORKING AT A COLLECTIONS MANAGEMENT MEETING[/caption] Meet Mel, our Collections Management Chairperson. He reflects on the fact that, "For some people now faced with retirement, they realize that their work has been their identity. In some cases this was a measure of their self-worth and that their workmates were their only social contact. This has left those who retire without hobbies or projects with a huge void to fill in their life. Ask any recent Retiree, 'How's retirement?' The likely response will be, 'Don't miss the work but sure miss the people.' The follow up question should then be, 'Have you considered volunteering?' Finding the opportunity to volunteer for the right cause or organization might just be the answer to what is now missing from your previous life. Those who have approached the Comox Air Force Museum with the idea of volunteering their time have been amazed at the diverse needs of the Museum and the range of opportunities there to fulfill one's interests. The Volunteers enjoy great leadership and support from an appreciative Directing Staff. Each volunteer is encouraged to find their own niche or best fit as they become part of the Museum Family working individually or as part of a team. The core group of volunteers is as diverse as the tasks needing done. Dentist to Diesel Mechanic, Cook to Carpenter, all contribute to make things interesting and entertaining while fulfilling the operational requirements of a constantly evolving Read more...
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THE VALUE OF VOLUNTEERING ~ THE PEOPLE WE GET TO WORK WITH![caption id="attachment_10553" align="alignleft" width="201"] MIKE[/caption] Mike has volunteered with the Museum for the past 25 years and was recently recognized for his many contributions. He says that, "One of the reasons that I volunteer at the Museum is the people who you get to work with. First they all want to be there. And you get to work with a group of people who have lived and worked a lifetime and are willing to share their knowledge freely. But the best reason is that I have never worked with most of these people before and so they have never heard my stories before. So I get to relive my past once again with a whole new audience. And I can embellish wherever I want and won't get called out on it. At least not to my face anyway." [caption id="attachment_9942" align="alignleft" width="202"] DAVID[/caption] David is one of those people Mike gets to tell those stories to! David says, "I had no idea that I would volunteer for anything again after I finished working. When I worked I volunteered to help at many events. The one that meant the most was for the United Way; we were able to pick where money collected would go. We chose the Children's Hospital. We took our mascot, which at the time was our Christmas bear. The fellow who wore the costume was great; he put many smiles on little people's faces, not something you forget. When we moved here, we Read more...
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THE VALUE OF VOLUNTEERING ~ STAYING INVOLVED![caption id="attachment_6081" align="alignleft" width="300"] GEOFF[/caption] Have you seen Geoff's paintings on the front of our Museum building? Geoff says, "People volunteer because they are enthusiastic about and enjoy what they have volunteered for. Volunteering keeps retired people involved and among like-minded souls, very important for retirees. Often the work involved wouldn't get done at all if it wasn't for free labour." [caption id="attachment_9203" align="alignleft" width="300"] GARY[/caption] Gary enjoys greeting visitors on Tuesday mornings and is a regular contributor to our website. He explains that, "The funny thing is, I don't consider what I do as volunteering! Five years ago I was given the opportunity to become a part of the team at the Comox Air Force Museum that is dedicated to bring the history and stories of everyday people to light. I get to meet and greet people from all over the world. I help build models for our displays and sometimes I'm lucky enough to publish a short story on our website. The reason I don't consider this as volunteering is because I get much more in return than the effort I put forth. Every Tuesday I get to spend the morning with the other volunteers who I now count as friends. Because of my models and stories, I know that in some small way I get to leave a small legacy. I think my main achievement is that I get to meet different people and hopefully improve their days by making them smile or more Read more...
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