Special to the Aroostook Republican
LIMESTONE — The Loring Military Heritage Center recently received word that they are the recipient of a $2,000 grant from the Maine Community Foundation. The grant, written by Loring Military Heritage Center President Bill Ossenfort, will help defray the cost of a cement pad, on top of which will be placed a four-bay garage. The garage will be used to display the larger military memorabilia from the former Loring Air Force Base, such as the Hound Dog Missile and the KC 135 jet engine, the latter having been on display at the Fourth of July Parade in Limestone and during the Washburn Festival. The KC 135 jet engine was donated to the center through equal cooperation between the Loring Military Heritage Center and the Bangor Air National Guard. The center would like to put the engine as well as other items on display, but the current area in the former gas station is in a bit of disrepair and not suitable for general public viewing, which is why members of the Loring Military Heritage Center believe that the need for a new structure is extremely dire. Members of the center believe that the ‘homeless’ artifacts are of great interest to the public, veterans and their families as well as the community as a whole, and hope to have the garage up as soon as possible.
For 25 years the Maine Community Foundation has been partnering with donors and community groups to strengthen Maine through grants and scholarships. More information about the organization can be obtained by visiting the foundation’s Web page at www.mainecf.org or by calling 1-800-700-6800. Members of the Loring Military Heritage Center have extended their thanks to the foundation on behalf of all of their members, veterans, and the community that the center serves.
The center is open to the public on Saturday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. and on Sunday from 12 to 3 p.m. until October 4.
