Staff Writer
LIMESTONE — Five years ago, the Loring Military Heritage Museum first opened its doors after two years of planning. On August 22, the museum held an open house encouraging the community to reminisce and learn about the former Loring Air Force Base. Midway through the open house, only 10 people had visited the site, though LMHM members were optimistic that about 25 people would come and visit. Considering the large number of individuals in Aroostook County with direct ties to the base, that number seemed small until Vice President Matt Cole explained. “Very few individuals south of Caribou know that we’re here, and the few people that do are already members of the museum,” Cole stated. “I know that there’s a lot of people in the Mapleton, Mars Hill, Presque Isle, Easton area that don’t know we’re here and if they did know, they would definitely come and seek this place out because being civilian or base related, there’s a lot of people who worked out here that don’t know this museum exists.
While relatively few people in The County know that the museum exists, entries from former base personnel dot their guest book. People have come from as far away as California to browse through artifacts and remember the people they served with in a different time.
More than one guest has been moved to tears while looking at the memorabilia, which spans most areas of military life.
LMHM Secretary Cuppy Johndro served in the Air Force for six years as a staff sergeant, and worked at the hospital on the base.
“I think the museum is a good representation of the base because there’s bits and pieces of all squadrons,” she explained. “There is a little representation of the fire department and the police department, the B-52s, the refueling wing, even the hospital’s here.”
Exactly how much of the history has been preserved? They even have bowling pins from the old bowling alley.
Very slowly, word is getting out about the LMHM.
They have a new Web page, www.loringaftmuseum.com, that’s filled with photos and history as well as contact information and hours, though some individuals are finding out about the museum almost accidentally.
“There was a guy here this morning (Aug. 22) from Easton, he saw the jet engine in front of our building and had stopped to look,” Cole said. “The gentleman asked how long we’d been here and we told him five years; he had no idea.”
While two of the largest artifacts in possession of the LMHM include the Hound Dog Missile from Mars Hill, transported to Loring on June 13, and the engine of a KC 135, most of the artifacts were donated by military pilots, a couple of Air Force commanders, and other individuals who have found pieces of Loring’s history in their attics or collecting dust on a shelf.
“We’re always looking for memorabilia, but it has to be strictly Loring-related,” Cole explained. “Patches, newspapers, plaques, uniforms — anything like that.”
The organization is currently looking for members and volunteers, especially volunteers interested in assisting with the refurbishment of the Hound Dog Missile.
“Ray Hildebrand, the project coordinator, has been out there almost every night working on the missile,” Johndro said, “he’s brought in specifications on the missile, pictures, and wants to get the original 72 decals put back on it.”
Individuals interested in volunteering or joining the LMHM can obtain more information by contacting Johndro at 498-4010 or by stopping by the museum, located at 131 Cupp Road in Limestone, between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday or noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday.
