LIMESTONE, Maine — Visitors from far and near will travel to Limestone Aug. 23 through 25 2019 to celebrate the history of Loring Air Force Base with events for the general public as well as special events for former Loring military and civilian personnel.
Sponsored by the Loring Military Heritage Center, located in the former bank on the base, the weekend is called “Loring Open House, 25 Years Later,” and focuses on the men and women who served at the Loring Strategic Air Command base as well as the Air Combat Command from 1953 to 1994, the Cold War era.
“We welcome back all of our veterans of Loring, the families, civilians, contractors, military brats and friends of Loring,” said Cuppy Johndro, who is helping to coordinating the weekend for the Heritage Center.
Events will begin at 4 p.m. Friday, August 23, with the opening of the base, the flightline, the meet and greet at the Heritage Center on the Cupp Road, which houses a large collection of now historic Loring AFB memorabilia — uniforms, scrapbooks, photographs, signs, yearbooks and scale model aircraft.
Saturday events include public tours of the weapons storage area for a small donation, and another of the former base through areas with commentary. A barbecue will run from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Visitors may view the flight line at 10 a.m., the hangars and nose docks, the Arch Hangar, the former dog cemetery, the DC hangar and more.
Saturday will also include appearances by two authors who have written books about Loring, both well versed in their respective fields, at the Bunker Inn on the former base. Times and further details are yet to be announced.
Recruiters and displays will be on site. Evening activities require pre-registration and include a dinner with recognition of veterans and a dance with a deejay at the Caribou Inn and Convention Center. The dance costs $30 per person.
On Sunday, Aug. 25, former personnel who once tended the nuclear arsenal will be on hand to answer questions and provide information. The Loring Military Heritage Center will open at 9 a.m., and the 3 p.m. closing ceremony at the center will conclude with taps.
For more information visit www.loringmilitaryheritagecenter.com or the Loring AFB Museum on Facebook, or contact Cuppy Johndro at 207-551-3439 or Matt Cole at 227-1241.
