FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MAY 4, 2001
Contact Patrick Tremblay, ptremblay@asomf.org (910) 483-3003 ext. 229
VOLUNTEERS:
THE HEART OF THE MUSEUM
FAYETTEVILLE, NC.
Since long before the August 16, 2000 grand opening, volunteers have been
an essential part of the Airborne & Special Operations Museum, contributing
thousands of hours to insure its success. The
museum has seen over 185,000 visitors (an average of over 800 per day) since the
opening. That’s more than the full time staff of twelve, already
busy with daily operations and administrative tasks, can handle.
The museum relies heavily upon its 115 member volunteer corps to make
visitors feel as welcomed and appreciated as possible, while at the same time
helping to enhance the exhibits through first hand experiences and insight.
The volunteers are the backbone and
heart of the museum, and the first faces a visitor sees.
As they sign in at the Information Center in the lobby, visitors are told
about the building, the exhibits and the city of Fayetteville.
While walking through the exhibit gallery, volunteer docents are standing
by to give added insight to the displays. Much
of this comes in the form of personal accounts, as dozens of the volunteers are
veterans of World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm and many of the conflicts
in between. Several active duty
soldiers from nearby Ft. Bragg give part of their free time to the museum, while
other volunteers are local educators, business people, and high school kids
looking to give back to the community.
It’s not uncommon to see a
volunteer walk by dressed in a reproduction airborne uniform – a World War II
era “Screaming Eagle” of the 101st Airborne Division or perhaps a
Special Forces soldier from Vietnam. Even
a World War II Polish paratrooper has been seen patrolling the Exhibit Hall
speaking with visitors. These
volunteers add greater depth to the original uniforms and equipment on display.
The idea of appearing “in uniform” started with the volunteers, and
has been
Paratroopers
are said to “volunteer twice,” first for the Army, second for airborne
training. Museum
volunteer David Bates, a veteran paratrooper who was assigned to the 11th
Pathfinder Detachment of the 1st Air Cavalry in Vietnam, sees
volunteering at the museum as a way to carry on this airborne tradition.
“Plus, “ says Bates, “it’s fun getting up and coming here.
We like the interaction with the other volunteers, and we enjoy the
exhibits. That’s
why we volunteer.”
The
museum staff tries to make the volunteer experience as positive as possible.
Regular training sessions are held to educate docents (a museum term for
a person who provides information or leads groups through exhibits), and field
trips have included visiting the parachute riggers of Ft. Bragg and Irvin
Aerospace in Hope Mills, one of the oldest suppliers of military parachutes.
In addition, quarterly parties are held to recognize the volunteers for
the many hours that they contribute.
After certain numbers of hours, individuals receive shirts, pins, museum
memberships and a variety of other items of appreciation.
The
museum has proven itself a great success, but with the outstanding number of
people that visit, and the anticipated summer crowds yet to come, additional
volunteers are always needed.
Anyone who is interested in volunteering is encouraged to contact the
museum for more information.
No experience is necessary, nor is a military background, and only a few
hours a week are asked.
From docents in the exhibit gallery to the Information Center to
administrative office workers, there is a place for everyone at the museum.
Call the museum at (910) 483-3003 or visit the museum website at www.asomf.org
to find out more.
Better yet, stop by the museum and ask a volunteer – they’ll be more
than happy to talk to you.
Located
at 100 Bragg Boulevard in downtown Fayetteville, the Airborne & Special
Operations Museum is part of the U.S. Army Museum System and tells the story of
Army airborne and special operations units from 1940 to the present.
Hours: 10am – 5pm, Tuesday through Saturday, Noon – 5 pm Sunday.
Closed Mondays; open Federal holiday Mondays.
Admission is free.
For
More Information
Visit
the museum website at www.asomf.org.
Media
inquiries may be directed to Sandy Klotz, Executive Director, at (910) 483-3003
ext. 226/ sklotz@asomf.org, or Patrick
Tremblay, Marketing Manager, at ext. 229/ptremblay@asomf.org.
Electronic
photography, brochures and additional literature are available by contacting
Patrick Tremblay.
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