Clay Township Military Library & Museum needs your help to celebrate USAF’s 78th birthday
Submitted
Brothers and Sisters in Arms, as the 78th anniversary of the United States Air Force approaches, the Clay Township Military Library and Museum, 10801 N. College Ave., Carmel, needs your help to make this celebration truly special. The celebration will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18.
On September 18, 1947, President Harry S. Truman signed the National Security Act, creating the United States Air Force as an independent service branch. This pivotal moment in history transformed military aviation forever and established the foundation for the world’s most powerful air force.
How you can help celebrate
- Share your artifacts & memorabilia: uniforms, medals, patches, and insignia; flight gear, helmets, and equipment; photos, documents, and military records; aircraft models and technical manuals; personal items that tell your Air Force story
- Tell your stories: combat missions and operations you participated in; training experiences and military life; memorable moments and fellow airmen; how the Air Force shaped your life; technical expertise and aircraft knowledge
- Volunteer your time: help plan the celebration activities; greet visitors and share your experiences; assist with displays and exhibits; participate in ceremonial activities; mentor younger visitors about Air Force history
Why your participation matters
The Clay Township Military Library and Museum serves as the only public military museum in Hamilton County. The museum is a small volunteer-driven organization with just five or six dedicated volunteers working to preserve the stories of all who served. The museum’s mission is to honor veterans through:
- Creating an online Honor Roll for public recognition
- Conducting veteran interviews for historical preservation
- Building comprehensive Veteran Profiles on our website
- Maintaining exhibits from WWII through present day conflicts
- Recognizing Women in Service, POW/MIAs, Animals in Service, and Home Front contributions
The celebration will feature:
- Air Force birthday cake cutting ceremony with traditional military protocol
- Historical Displays showcasing Air Force evolution from 1947 to today
- Veteran ‘Meet & Greet’ opportunities for public interaction
- Trivia contest testing Air Force knowledge
- Special ceremonies unique to Air Force traditions
Your legacy, preserved forever
Every artifact you share, every story you tell, and every moment you volunteer becomes part of the museum’s permanent collection and website repository. Your experiences will educate future generations about the dedication, sacrifice, and excellence that defines Air Force service. From the Berlin Airlift heroes who fed a city from the sky, to Desert Storm pioneers who revolutionized modern warfare, to today’s cyber warriors defending in the digital domain – your service is part of this incredible continuum.
How to get involved
Contact the Clay Township Military Library and Museum by emailing jonebaldwin@gmail.com, calling (317) 435-7194, or stopping by at 10801 N. College Ave., Carmel
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Aim High, Fly-Fight-Win
Whether you served with the Strategic Air Command, flew F-16s with the Thunderbirds, maintained C-130s in Vietnam, operated B-52s during the Cold War, or supported Special Operations in recent conflicts, your story matters. Every career field, every rank, every era of service contributed to the Air Force’s legacy.
The museum operates solely on donations and volunteer support. It has no regular income source and relies on the generosity of patriots like you. This is your chance to ensure Air Force history is properly preserved and honored in Hamilton County.
Don’t let your stories disappear with time. Share them now.
I served on active duty from October 14, 1958 until June 30, 1979 following 3 1/2 years in the RSAF reserves. I was commissioned a 2nd Lt from ROTC at Texas A& M. My first 8 years were in SAC first in B-47s during the Cold War. Following B-47s, I flew B-52Ds at NcCoy including 49 Arc Light missions. This was followed by an Air Commando tour at Nakhon Phanom Thailand: First 85 missions in AT-28D-5s, then 49 missions in A-1 Skyraoiders. Upon tour completion, I was sent to Howard AFB, Canal Zone starting as a Special Operations pilot in T-28s again, then A-37Bs. Then I was made Ghief of the Command Post. As a T-28 pilot, I served a TDY with the Air Force of the Dominican Republic and received honorary pilots wing. After Howard, I went to Air Command and Staff College and picked up a MBA on the side. After serving as an aircraft maintenance officer for one year, I went to Udorn RTAFB, Thailand as Chief of the Laotian/Cambodoian training school. On the side I served as a flight instructor for The Khmer AF and was awarded honorary pilot’d wings. After being promoted to LtCol, I was returned to SAC at March AFC,CA. While there I commanded the 22nd Field Maintenance Squadron among other Jobe, In 1976, I was transferred to SAC HQ, first as Chief of the Propulsion Branch; then Chief of the Tanker Branch, followed by Chief of the Bomber branch, all in the Field Maintenance Division. In 1976, I was promoted to Deputy Chief, Aircraft Systems Division. On June 30, 1098i0 I retired rather than accept a position as Senior Logistics Advisor to the Saudi Air Force, I finished my working years teaching at small colleges in Iowa.