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3UHVHUYLQJ WKH /HJDF\ RI 0DULQH $YLDWLRQ Newsletter of the Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation
SPRING 2023
Do Museums Really Make A Difference? This Is My Story By Andrew Neel
I
n August 2003, my father and I school. To say the Flying Leatherneck visited the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum holds a special place in Aviation Museum at MCAS Miramar my heart would be an understatement. for the first time. Although I didn’t The people I have met and worked know it at the time, this would be a alongside, the stories and lessons monumental day in my life. We were learned, and time spent around the greeted by LtCol Richard “Dick” Miller.1 aircraft and physical displays have The Colonel gave us a personal tour inspired my life’s calling. My association around the grounds and provided us with with the Museum has kept me on my facts and stories about each era of Marine path of pursuing a career as a Naval Corps aviation and the aircraft involved. Officer. My application to Officer By the end of the day, I had made it quite Candidate School is currently being clear to the Colonel that I have a love for processed and evaluated. Firefighter Andrew Neel, City of Yuma, AZ military aviation; it’s history, and specifically Since I was a young boy, military aviation the aircraft. I also explained my aspirations of has been the biggest influence on my life. becoming a Naval Officer involved in aviation, and how I I grew up just 10 minutes from the former NAS Miramar was about to start high school in the coming weeks. (the home of Top Gun) and now MCAS Miramar. Seeing Seizing the moment, Colonel Miller saw his opporaircraft flying daily and hearing them while in school filled tunity and recruited me to preform my high school my mind. Of course, the annual airshow, featuring the volunteer service requirement at the museum. I gladly Blue Angels, was what I looked forward to more than any accepted his offer and was eager to start. Within a few other time of year. months, I was part of the weekend crew. However, volunteering only on Saturdays did not satisfy me as I Both of my grandfathers were military men, serving in was eager to do more and began to show up Sundays the US Navy and the US Marine Corps respectively. My as well. Before I knew it, I had accumulated more than Naval grandfather served aboard aircraft carriers as a 2000+ hours of docent time before graduating high Corpsman. His home is decorated with memorabilia Continued on page 3