‘A sense of heritage’

The Freedom Museum in Manassas will celebrate its 10th anniversary July 4 with a patriotic tribute to America's 20th century heroes.

The open house honoring all American veterans will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For the event, the museum will host a variety of family activities, including a roundtable discussion with World War II veterans and videotaping oral histories with veterans from World War II and other 20th century conflicts.

"The shared experiences of these veterans bring history alive," said Jerry Martin, a decorated Vietnam veteran and museum volunteer. "As a former history teacher, I know how important it is that our future generations learn the lessons these veterans can teach us about the fight for freedom."

Merle Hancock, also a museum volunteer, was a 20-year-old gunner in a B-17 when shot down over Nazi Germany, agrees. "Our mission now is to give young people a sense of their history and heritage. As a former POW, I know first hand how truly precious freedom is. That's what the Freedom Museum is all about. That is the story we want to tell."

Veterans and their families are invited to be honored guests at a free luncheon starting promptly at noon.

During lunch, there will be a salute to Bob Hope and his USO tours, including a video that highlights the laughter and sense of home he brought to American service personal all over the world during World War II, Korea and Vietnam.

"Bob Hope was there when the troops needed him the most," said Korean War veteran Dick Lemmon. The museum has a Bob Hope USO room that Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative sponsored that includes memorable photographs from his many shows.

Among the honored guests will be Lt. Col. Mary Jane Parrish (USAF, Ret.) whose nurses uniform along with her husband's B. Gen. Frank Parris (now deceased) Air Force flight uniform will be displayed as an addition to the museum's collection.

World War II U. S. Navy pilot Doug Cavileer, who has also donated his flight uniform, and his wife Grace, a nurse cadet, will also be present.

She will also present the museum a photograph of her brother, Lt. Dean C. Lunger, a United States Army Air Corps pilot killed at St. Dizier, France, April 15, 1945 for the museum's Wall of Honor that features local heroes that made the supreme sacrifice.

The Cavileers are active museum volunteers. "We are proud of our country and this gives us a place to share that pride," said Grace Cavileer, who enlisted in the Cadet Nurse Corps when she was 17.

Also for the event, World War II Army Air Corps veteran and State Senator Charles J. Colgan, D-Manassas, will display some of this 20th century collection of aviation photographs and memorabilia including some from the Wright Brothers, Charles Lindberg, Eddie Rickenbacker and Jimmy Doolittle. "The local veterans have come a long way in the last 10 years and I know the community appreciates their efforts. This should be a great event," said Colgan.

The museum opened in 1999 by local veterans with a goal of honoring their fallen comrades, to pay tribute to those that served freedom's cause and to give young Americans a sense of their history and heritage. Organizers credit the City of Manassas, the Manassas Regional Airport Board and widespread community support for their continued success.

The event will also include patriotic and period music, entertainment, a moon bounce and family activities, including children's prizes.

Bob Finch, volunteer coordinator, said "This will be a family friendly event and it will make this July 4 one for the history books."

The museum is located in the main terminal of Manassas Regional Airport.

Staff writer Bennie Scarton Jr. can be reached at 703-369-6707.