Museum Foundation Volunteers Honored for their Service

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Alicia Wallace
  • 45th Space Wing Public Affairs
PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Approximately 80 people attended the 15th Annual Air Force Space & Missile Museum Volunteer Organization Holiday Dinner hosted by the Museum Foundation Dec. 12 at the Tides.

There are just over 100 volunteers who split time between the Air Force Space and Missile Museum on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and the Air Force Space & Missile Center located just outside the south gate of CCAFS.

The volunteers not only share their colorful personal experiences with their guests, they routinely go out of their way to help "tell the Air Force story," according to Steve Houser, treasurer of the Air Force Space & Missile Museum Foundation.

"Words cannot express how much work, and how much good will comes from what these remarkable men and women do on a daily basis for the 45th Space Wing and our Air Force," said Mr. Houser.

"The feedback we get from visitors, and from those who take advantage of the free tours we now offer to the public twice a week at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, consistently reflect how they are able to reach a very wide audience. Our guest's love the personal touch each volunteer brings and the massive amount of historical - and current information our volunteers provide" he said.

"We really can't thank them enough," Mr. Houser said.

Brig. Gen. Anthony Cotton, commander, 45th Space Wing, echoed the words of the foundation treasurer.

"We at the 45th Space Wing know what the space story is, and you articulate it every single day. You don't know how important it is that you tell our story and continue to tell it," he said.

"I just want to close with two words: 'Thank you.' Thank you very much for everything you do for our Air Force and what you do for the men and women of the 45th Space Wing. Please have a happy holiday and a happy new year, and I will see you in 2013," said Gen Cotton.

The volunteers all agreed that it was their pleasure to selflessly donate their time.

"Well, the bottom line is none of us would be doing this if we didn't enjoy being out here and telling folks the Air Force story," said John Hilliard, a retired Air Force officer, who doubles as a volunteer launch press escort with Jim Hale, another foundation volunteer.

"What the Air Force has done, and what they continue to do for our nation is a story none of us get tired of telling," he said with a knowing smile.

The Air Force Space and Missile Museum is always seeking volunteers. To be a successful volunteer candidate, you should live within a reasonable driving distance of the museum. You must also meet security requirements to be issued a credential for entry onto Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

You will also complete a training program before being assigned work at the Museum or the History Center. The work schedule is normally several days per
month for several hours, but can be adjusted more or less based on your personal schedule. After training completion, you will educate visitors in
the history of the space and missile programs developed over the years at Cape Canaveral. You may also choose to work in the Museum and History Center Gift Shops.

Editor's note: Free tours of Cape Canaveral Air Force Station are available Wednesday and Thursday, beginning at 8:30 a.m. The meeting point is at the
Air Force Space & Missile History Center, located adjacent to the south gate of Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
You can either visit the 45th Space Wing web page to sign up or call 321-494-5945 to get additional information.

 

United States Space Force logo

Official United States Space Force Website