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Show Aug. 15, 1996 Page 3A Fighter Country Museum set to erect 388th display By Wynne Rasmussen is something that would be a first-tim- e event 388th FW Public Affairs Office or an event which directly portrays the lineage of the 388th Fighter Wing," Beers said. Plans are underway for a 388th Fighter Wing exhibit in the Hill AFB Museum. Wing historian, SSgt. Bryon M. Beers, is directing a committee to collect artifacts and memorabilia for a chronological display of the 388th FW's history. The museum is providing two 16 foot-wih display cases for the by eight effort One scene will manifest the history of the wing from when it was the 388th Bombardment Group to its placement at Hill. It will include a mannequin dressed in a World War II uniform, some maps, a flag, unit emblems and anything else pertinent to that part of the wing's history. "The majority of that display will be of Korat Air Base, Thailand, which was one of the main highlights of our history," Beers said. The second case will be of the wing's current mission. This will include artifacts from Desert Storm and any other wing accomplishments since Dec. 23, 1975. The exhibit will also include a flag-shmodel with each fighter squadron in the four-shi- p formation. The compilation of items for the diseffort The sergeant play is a wing-wid- e urges airmen to support the cause by keeping an eye out for special items representative of their particular squadron so each one receives adequate representation. "A significant part of the memorabilia "We need full support from all the squadrons so we can have a complete illustration of the wing." Beers' hope is to not only instill greater pride in the 388th FW personnel within their units, the wing and the Air Force but also in the local community. "They can look at it and say, 'this is a good unit. This is a unit that has been protecting us for years,'" Beers said. This unit has logged unsurpassed hours in the 6, F-all the way back to the B-and F-- de foot-hig- 48-st- ar ip I w4 ! F-1- i 86 4, aircraft." The sergeant is determined to show the wing's heritage by exhibiting its history as well as its current mission. "We are proud of what we do. We fly, fight and win. That's the bottom line," Beers said. "That's what I want to represent in these displays." The project is no small undertaking. It takes a great deal of time and energy to bring the plan together, according to Beers. The committee has been meeting once a month since March, and will continue to meet until it is finished. They want to make the display as interesting as possible. They will install buttons to activate vocalized messages about the wing's history. "I could throw a document on the wall that says when the 388th was activated, but no one's going to read it" Beers said. The uniqueness of this display has not gone unnoticed. Photo by Amn. San Bands Rodriguez SSgt. Bryon Beers reviews historical slides for a presentation. "I'm glad to see the committee attack the project with such enthusiasm," Col. Bentley Rayburn, 388th commander, said. "Preserving the wing's past is not just about history but also a guide for the future to remind everyone of our rich heritage and the pride we must carry with us in our duties." The historian plans to conclude the souvenir collection by December. Then, the committee will sort through the collected items and decide which items are most valuable to the display. There are many other preparations as well. All the photos, ribbons, awards and other historical documents need to be framed for the display. Then, uniforms must be cleaned and pressed for the mannequins. The exhibit is scheduled to be open by May 1997. For more information about the display or how to get involved, contact Beers in Bldg. 120 or call 777-292- 0. Outstanding Airmen 6f the Quarter - " L t 111 The 388th Fighter Wing announced its selection of Outstanding Airmen of the Quarter for April to June, The winner for the Company Grade Officer category was 2nd LL John K. Holani, Jr., 34th Fighter Squadron. Holan! was unavailable for a photo because he is currently deployed to Southwest Asia. Airman SrA. Mylinda L Wike 388th Operations Support Squadron Photos by Amn. Sara Banda Rodrugucz ww w i wnw"p -- WSt rwj |