Three-day event features ceremony, tours, fly-by
LIMESTONE — The Loring Military Heritage Center announced Aug. 8 that it will host an open house on the former Loring Air Force Base Friday through Saturday, Aug. 19-21.
This event is open to all veterans, civilians, families, contractors to Loring and anyone interested in seeing the former base. The heritage center will be the hub of events for the day.
On Friday, Aug. 19, an opening ceremony with flag posting will take place. Visitors can drive the flightline, see some of the old buildings, come and record stories to video, see old friends and meet new ones at the Center.
On Saturday, Aug. 20, the center will be the home base for activities. A morning ceremony will be held to post the colors, the flightline will be open until noon, and the weapons storage area, where the former nuclear weapons were housed, will be open. Participants can meet recruiters from the U.S. Air Force and see the National Guard as well.
There will be a an antique car show in the former commissary parking lot, and organizers will take squadron photos in front of the “Moose is Loose” sign starting at 10 a.m. They will offer a pay-as-you-go barbecue. Once again, those who wish may share their stories on video.
The Military Heritage Center will be open so visitors can explore the memorabilia.
On Saturday at 2 p.m., a KC-135 aircraft will do a fly-by of the base. The KC-135 was a model of in-air refueler once stationed at Loring. This piece of history will make its way across the base and The County.
At 5:30 p.m., the center will host a dinner dance at the Caribou Motor Inn and Convention Center. The cost is $30 per person and slots are filling up fast, said Cuppy Johndro, one of the organizers for the event.
“We generally get about 100 people for the dance and the food is great,” said Johndro. “We have a small ceremony and guest speakers from the former base. So far we have had 75 registrations sent in for the dance, some from as far away as Alaska and Texas. It is usually a highlight of the entire event. People love to sit and talk about their former glory days here in The County and at Loring.”
Preregistration for the dinner dance is required; those interested should contact Johndro at 551-3439 or at redcuppy@hotmail.com.
On Sunday, Aug. 21, the Military Heritage Center will host a ride to the former weapons storage area. The Presque Isle Historical Society’s Molly the Trolley will be on had to take 31 people over together. David King, a local Loring alumnus, will be the narrator for this journey.
Johndro said, “David was here many years and comes with a vast history of the base. He is extremely knowledgeable and resourceful.” Signup will be that weekend, and the cost to ride the trolley will be $10 per person. Those not able to fit on the trolley may follow in car loads out to each area they stop.
“This is not something you will want to miss,” Johndro said.
After the tour of the center, participants may come back to socialize, finish sharing stories on video, and get their photos taken with the “Moose is Loose” sign. The event will officially end at 3 p.m. as the colors are retired.
To learn more about the open house, visit the Loringmilitaryheritagecenter.com or contact Johndro at 551-3439 or redcuppy@hotmail.com.
The center is located at 161 Cupp Road, Loring, and will have many Loring items for sale. The community is welcome.
