Freedom Museum Newsletter -
August 26, 2021
Busy, Busy, Busy! Since our opening six weeks ago we have had more than 700 visitors. There have been innumerable tours and our staff has been tired after every shift. Diane DuBois, Ron Link, Carol Campbell, Ray Thomann and Pam Porter have been the backbone of our ability keep the Museum’s doors open. Our visitors have been generous, but we will still need to find businesses who will make the Museum a line entry in their charitable giving plans for us to make ends meet. That said, I want to tell you one of the stories that justifies our existence.
A few Saturdays ago, two cousins came into the Museum. One asked me if I knew Harry Hatcher. I told him I knew Harry Hatcher from the WWI section of our Heroes Wall. He said that Harry was his great, great, great grandfather and wanted to know if we had a picture of him. Thanks to the research work of Dan Gates, we indeed had a picture in our WWI notebook. In addition, Harry served in Cpt. Sylvester Epps’ infantry unit. Sylvester Epps is also honored in our Museum, and this was the first time we realized the connection. We were also able to show a picture of the monument, paid for by members of the 372nd Infantry Division in 1919, on the French battlefield where Harry gave his life for his country. There were tears from the cousins when they realized their relative was honored by the Museum and they saw a picture of their relative in his WWI uniform for the first time.
All our visitors have been impressed with the beauty of our building and our displays. The local veterans seem to really enjoy their visit as they talk about their service and the service of their family members. Being a guide/docent has been a positive experience for all our volunteers because they provide an ear for family stories and the pride of service for the storyteller.
Freedom Museum Store Updates
The Museum Store is open, and we have ordered new stock just in time for Christmas. You can see our Pilot Bear and Army Bear below. These plush toys are on sale now for $20 each. Freedom Museum coins and Tee shirts are also on sale. Please come by the Museum and buy our new items. See photos in the gallery below.
Freedom Museum Recent Outings
The Museum was invited to participate in the National Air and Space Museum’s Innovation in Flight Family Day at the Udvar-Hazy Center on Saturday, August 21. Early in the morning, we towed the B 25 bomber nose over to its position on the tarmac and waited for the crowds to arrive. Ray Baybrook did a great job organizing the Museum’s participation in this event, and Dick Hague, Tom Hueg, Tom Nichols and Jim Porter worked in the shade of the giant hangar that houses the Smithsonian collection. We talked to over 1,000 visitors and tons of kids all day long. We were among many other exhibits, but I think the B-25 nose was the hit of the day.
On Sunday, August 22, the Freedom Museum Road Show participated in the Flying Circus Airshow’s annual Hot Air Balloon Fest in Bealeton. Like all Museum events, this one was an adventure. Before setting out, Ray Baybrook discovered a flat tire on the bomber trailer. Through the generosity of Ray’s neighbor, who allowed the Freedom Museum to park the bomber in his driveway over the weekend, and the use of his air compressor, Ray and his stalwart crew were soon caravanning the Museum’s rolling stock down Rt 234 and Rt 28 to this annual event. Tom Hueg, Tom Nichols, Dick Hague and Orlando Rivera presented the jeep, ambulance, and bomber in support of the Flying Circus, and meeting many new friends and inviting all to visit the Freedom Museum. We even received a few donations!
Note* We have an immediate need to find winter storage for our rolling stock. Our Bomber cannot get wet as it leaks, and resultant corrosion will cause the demise of artifacts we are responsible to protect. It is unfair to ask Ray Baybrook to continue to use his driveway as a storage lot. The solution is to find indoor storage provided by a museum lover who wants a tax write off.
Freedom Museum Upcoming Events
We have some events coming up. On Tuesday evening (7:30), October 12th, at the Manassas VFW, we will restart our Quarterly Speaker Series with Col. Steve Miska, USA (Ret) speaking.
He is a veteran with three combat deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq and has written a book about his experience getting his interpreter and others admitted to the United States. This is an extremely timely topic delivered by an experienced soldier and author. We expect a good turnout for this event and as always, Freedom Museum events are free, but donations are encouraged. Steve’s book is on sale at the Museum Store, and he will be signing books after his talk.
On Saturday, November 6, the Freedom Museum will be participating in the Manassas Veterans Parade with our rolling stock. Every Freedom Museumer can walk or ride in the parade.
We will also have a ceremonial bellringing on Thursday, November 11, for the WWI soldiers from the Manassas and Prince William County area who lost their lives. This annual event will be a part of the Museum’s Grand Opening Ceremony. More on this topic will be forthcoming as we get closer to the date and our special guests confirm their participation.
Please check the Freedom Museum’s website and/or Facebook page for updates on all our programs. We are striving to keep the content fresh on both platforms.
This year we are having a Christmas Party in December. Every year we celebrate the past year as comrades with a common mission: to remember those who fought for our freedom. This will be a great year to gather with friends who have made the Museum successful despite a jolting move, a pandemic, and a world situation that has been upsetting to everyone. This will be a Christmas to remember God’s gift to us and to celebrate our American heritage, i.e., good will to all and peace on earth.
Jim Porter
Capt. USN (Ret)
BOD President, Freedom Museum
