In 1918, Armistice Day officially became Veterans Day and 105 years later we are still celebrating. This past weekend, the Arkansas Air and Military Museum (AAMM) had two exciting events, Veterans Breakfast and Veterans Day Swing Dance. Let's recap it!
At 7 AM Saturday morning our Veterans Day Breakfast volunteers began to arrive. Thanks to Rick's Bakery and Black Bear Diner everyone left with very full stomachs. Out of the 57 people that attended this event 7 signed up to volunteer with AAMM and we could not be more excited. Staff and volunteers got a chance to sit down with these veterans, hear their stories, and thank them. AAMM also had a special surprise in store for guests, the 45th Infantry Division Living Historians and Mrs. Jana Rathbun Vanderburg, and Friends! These two groups were outside displaying different artifacts and the joy of historical reenacting. The day didn't end there though!
At 6 PM our Veterans Swing Dance began, and in perfect AAMM fashion, we had yet another surprise for our patrons. Mr. Dave Bowman stepped up to the microphone and welcomed the crowd as a small family entered the south hangar doors. The crowd was surprised to find out the gentleman who had just walked in was 100-year-old U.S. Marine Corp Veteran Harold "Chilt" Chilton, who would be turning 101 on November 12th. As Stockholm Jazz (the big band for the night) began playing The Marines' Hymn, 18-year-old Landon Marshall (fresh from basic training) entered with a ceremonial sword to join "Chilt" in cutting a Marine Corp (and "Chilt's") Birthday Cake.
"Chilt" would go on to blow everyone's minds by joining Stockholm Jazz for a song. "Chilt's" family let the staff know:
This was an absolutely fun-filled weekend that AAMM was happy to share with everyone!