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Program of the October 17, 2003 Glen Town Center Grand Opening Ceremonies: 9:00 a.m. Dene Oliver of Oliver McMillan welcomed crowd and asks guests to be seated for “beginning processions” 9:03 a.m. LT. COL. G.E. Van Wissink (GHOF) called attention and ordered Navy/Marine Accommodation Color Guard to post colors 9:08 a.m. LT. COL. G.E. Van Wissink asked audience to rise for the National Anthem 9:10 a.m. Dene Oliver rose, asks guests to be seated and began opening speech and introductions…introduced Larry Carlson (Village of Glenview President) 9:17 a.m. Larry Carlson spoke on behalf of the Village of Glenview 9:24 a.m. Dene Oliver introduced David Hill (Kimball Hill) 9:25 a.m. David Hill spoke on behalf of Kimball Hill Homes and the other Glen developers. Please note that Kimball Hill Homes contributed to the preservation of the NASG Chapel, located at the Southeast corner of Patriot Boulevard and Chestnut Avenue 9:32 a.m. Dene Oliver introduced the LIMA-LIMA Flight Team and its four Navy T34s as the commencement of the Dedication of Navy Park. Ret. Captain Terry Burke (GHOF) directed Captain Bill Sherwin (LIMA-LIMA #1 "the Boss") from Navy Park via a two-way ground-to-air radio 9:35 a.m. The LIMA-LIMA Flight Team performed a seven-minute “short set acrobatic performance” air show with NASG Hangar One and Navy Park as its focal point (please note this was the first time since the 1993 NAS Glenview EXPO that the skies over Glenview and NASG Hangar One were the focal point of a military air show). 9:45 a.m. Dene Oliver Introduced COL. Ace Realie (President GHOF) 9:46 a.m. COL. Ace Realie’s
speech outline: • That special place is Naval Air Station Glenview, and those special people are the courageous men and women who served here. • Over its 58-year history, the veterans of NASG played important military roles in four major wars and in peacetime readiness, provided homeland security, and were part of shaping the culture of Glenview. • The Glenview Hangar One Foundation was formed to insure that a permanent memorial was created to recognize the contributions of veterans of Naval Air Station Glenview who served, or supported its operations, here and its subordinate locations. NAS Glenview served as the only military carrier pilot training location in the US during World War II, here and on the USS Sable and USS Wolverine, both located on Lake Michigan. NAS Glenview remained one of the premier Naval and Marine carrier pilot training air bases during the remainder of its history. • The mission of the Glenview Hangar One Foundation is to Commemorate the Historical Contribution of the Men and Women who served at Naval Air Station Glenview. • The Glenview Hangar One Foundation considered it our duty to discharge this mission because freedom for Americans is secured at a price – the time and lives of the men and women of the armed forces of the United States of America who fight, and sometimes die, so that Americans can live free and pursue their inalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. And the current deadly attacks on United States and our allies, and our need to once again militarily defend ourselves against our enemies, proves that the fight to insure freedom and safety is a continuous, and never ending, process. • In 1776, the US Militia took up arms against the British Redcoats to defend the principals of the newly drafted US Declaration of Independence. The Revolutionary War was our first war for freedom, and after America’s victory, George Washington knew it would not be our last. The first President of the US said "The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, will be directly proportional to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated, and appreciated, by their nation". • Today, one important aspect of the mission of the Glenview Hangar One Foundation is realized with the dedication of Navy Park. George Washington, and the framers of the US Constitution, would be proud. This place is our memorial to the veterans of Naval Air Station Glenview who selflessly fought, and sometimes died, to carry out the underlying principles and causes of the United States of America. • The Glenview Hangar One Foundation consists of military veterans and involved civilians, whose tireless efforts over seven years are evidenced here today. Aside from myself, the people of the Glenview Hangar One Foundation are (each GHOF person stands and remains standing until Erik Lundahl’s name is called and Ace asks for applause):
• Ladies and Gentlemen, please extend a round of applause
to the Glenview Hangar One Foundation! • We also have to extend our sincere thanks to the Members and Sponsors of the Glenview Hangar One Foundation who provide us with the financial support, pro-bono manpower and the presence necessary for us to carry out our ambitious mission. • Ladies and Gentlemen, please extend a round of applause to the allies and friends of the Glenview Hangar One Foundation! • Naval Air Station Glenview was home base for many of Chicago’s Annual Air and Water Shows, and when the Navy Blue Angels, the Air Force Thunderbirds, or any of the US Armed Forces high-tech military aircraft were stationed here, the ultimate air performances were over the skies of Glenview. • Naval Air Station Glenview hosted its own Expos, featuring dogfights by fighter planes, precision flying by flight teams, and static displays of vintage and state of-of-the-art military aircraft. The last NAS Glenview Air Expo was held in August of 1993, and attracted over 70,000 visitors who honored such NASG alumni as George Bush, Gerald Ford, Butch O’Hare and Neil Armstrong. • On September 9, 1995 a farewell ceremony closed the military log on NASG, and today, October 17, 2003 opens a new chapter for Naval Air Station Glenview and Navy Park as a Monuments to Freedom. • Today’s aerial performance by the LIMA-LIMA Flight Team’s T34s was the first time in over a decade that the skies over the Village of Glenview and NASG Hangar One was center stage for an air show by military aircraft. Ladies and Gentlemen, please extend a round of applause to the LIMA-LIMA Flight Team lead by Bill Sherwin! • The Naval Air Station in Pensacola, FL is the US Navy’s headquarters, and the site of its famous museum. One feature of this Naval Museum is three bronze statues of Naval Air Personnel, an Aircrew Man, a Yellow Shirt, and a Sailor-Mechanic. Exact replicas of these statues are in the process of being made to honor Navy Park and to remind visitors of the Air Personnel who were stationed here at NAS Glenview. One of the three statues, the Aircrew Man, is here today, the other two statues will honor Navy Park by next spring. It is my privilege to preside over the unveiling of the Aircrew Man. Frank Mack and Bill Marquardt, please honor Navy Park by unveiling our NAS Glenview Aircrew Man! • Frank Mack and Bill Marquardt honor Navy Park by unveiling our NAS Glenview Aircrew Man • Thank you for attending today’s Dedication of Navy Park. Please join us starting today through Sunday in celebrating NAS Glenview and the Glenview Hangar One Foundation at our Mini-museum and Hospitality Center located at the North Pod of Hangar One. We will be showcasing the contributions by the men and women who served Naval Air Station Glenview, and the Glenview Hangar One Foundation’s mission to preserve the memory of those men and women who made it happen. • For the first time in history, Naval Air Station Glenview is open to the public. Enjoy all of the many wonders of The Glen and its Town Center. Please remember, to pause from time to time in Navy Park, to appreciate the many veterans of Naval Air Station Glenview, honored in the granite bricks that pave Navy Park, who contributed their time and lives so we can live as a free people in a safe country. 9:51 a.m. COL. Ace Realie called upon LT. COL
G.E. Van Wissink |