Pretty soon, everyone will be able to visit the Memphis Belle in her new home.
While her new home is the National Museum of the United States Air Force, other exhibits offer dramatic insight into the people, men and women, who made military aviation history from all perspectives, before, during and after the US Air Force was formed.
There are aircraft of every type imaginable.
In each of the galleries are displays about the people who flew the planes and made history. The various artifacts include personal memorabilia, uniforms, books, and military awards for all military ranks.
When you read the personal display information, you get a powerful sense of what each individual experienced; frequently it’s tough to believe the events took place as described. Their exceptional heroism and dedication to every task and assignment are remarkable.
As I was walking through the World War II gallery, I noticed a very special B-29 Superfortress, the one named “Bockscar.” This plane dropped one of the “Fat Man” atomic bombs in August of 1945.
I happen to live in Oak Ridge, Tennessee – where much of the design, development, and delivery of these atomic bombs took place. Living in this city gives me a unique perspective on how, and more importantly, why these bombs were made and used during the conflict.
Two days after visiting the museum I happened to watch the movie “Memphis Belle” again, and it made me think that this actual airplane will soon join her “sister” ship, “Bockscar.” Visiting this museum is to experience a chapter in history that we’ve all read about, but haven’t actually seen.
Don’t miss this chance.
Are we there yet? 