Security Police Memorial
at USAF Museum
Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
The United States Air Force Museum is the world’s largest and oldest military
aviation museum. Approximately 1.2 million people visit the Air Force
Museum each year. These visitors are able to view over 300 aircraft and
missiles plus over 6,000 other non-aircraft items on exhibit. Exhibits
cover important areas of aviation history from times of ancient man, to
the era of the development of balloons, kites and gliders, to the first
aircraft of the Wright brothers, all the way up to modern times,
including the exploration of space.
Most
visitors are surprised at the size of the Air Force Museum and its
outstanding collection of aircraft and memorabilia. They are even more
surprised to find that the Museum is free to the public. Free parking
and free museum admission make it one of the country’s great tourist
destinations. Open between 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. daily except
Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
The first memorial established at the National Museum of
the US Air Force occurred soon after the opening of the present Museum
building in 1971. It was a commemorative tree and plaque dedicated on
October 23, 1972 to those Americans held as Prisoners of War by the
North Vietnamese, and those Missing in Action during the Southeast Asia
conflict. From that modest beginning, many other groups have established
memorials at the Museum, assuring the perpetual remembrance of their
loved ones, friend, family members and wartime buddies. The Memorial
Park has grown to over 400 memorials already in place or in the planning
stages. Memorials include statuary memorials, plaques, trees and
benches. The bronze "Peacekeper" of the Air/Security Police
Memorial watches over the park.
Gazebos and picnic shelters disbursed throughout the
park provide families and individuals the opportunity for peaceful
reflection and a chance to enjoy a picnic lunch during the summer
months.
VSPA is an association for USAF Vietnam War Veterans who served in Vietnam or Thailand from 1960-1975, as Air Police / Security Police or as an Augmentee. Visit the main pages for information on joining
Please feel free to copy photos or stories. Just give the author/photographer, & VSPA a credit line.