Miami Valley Veterans Museum: All Systems Go
The Miami Valley Veterans Museum (MVVM) got a nice surprise on February 3 when they were the recipient of a special gift from Wright Patterson Air Force Base. The museum received an F-16 flight simulator which was recently retired from active duty. Prior to the donation, the simulator had resided in a lab in Building 56 at the base.
According to Mitch Fogle, the museum’s Vice President, the donation process began four months ago. “I have a cousin that works at Wright-Pat in the simulator department. I asked him if it would be possible to get a simulator donated to the Veterans Museum, and he said he would have to do some research. A couple of months later, he found an F-16 that was due to be replaced, but a reserve unit in Minnesota was in line to get it. They decided they didn’t want it, so all we had to do was to go get it. I called Randy's Towing in Troy, and Rod Peck, who owns the company, said he would move it free of charge for us. On February 3, he picked it up and moved it with five of our volunteers. It now sits in the main entrance of the museum. It's non-operational, but we plan to hook up a monitor to it to simulate flying.
“We have been to the Air Force Museum to get some ideas on how to set things up and get new ideas on what we could add to our museum. The Veterans Museum volunteers are excited to have this new addition and grateful that Wright-Pat donated it to us.”
Unlike the flight simulator in the Air Force Museum, there is no cost to use the trainer. It should be noted that this model was formerly used as a pilot failure trainer. Different trouble scenarios were programmed into each session to gauge how pilots would react, sort of a “what if this happened…” training lesson.
The F-16 trainer is the newest of the museum’s many attractions. The Veterans Museum has been in its current location, 2245 S. County Road 25A, since 2019, when they relocated from the Masonic Temple building in downtown Troy. MVVM features exhibits from various eras of peacekeeping and is always open to receiving donations of military memorabilia. Their collection covers the Revolutionary War to more recent conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, with an abundance of items from Vietnam and World War II. Exhibits focus on all six branches of the military. There is a Media Room, Research Library, Military History Education Center, and a memorial to the World Trade Center that includes a scale model and a piece of wreckage from the attack on 9/11/01.
“The most common items we receive would be uniforms from all branches of the U.S. Military,” Fogle said. “Two of the most unique items we’ve received are a piece of the wreckage of the World Trade Center from 9/11, and some wood decking from the USS Arizona on December 7, 1941.”
Plans are also underway for a display honoring First Responders. “The First Responders display came about when our Curator asked the Miami County Sheriff if they would like to have a display in our Hall of Honor. The Sheriff said they would be interested in setting one up. A few months later they started bringing display items in and putting it all together.”
The five-acre museum has a 5,000-square foot building that focuses on Miami Valley Veterans. “Veterans Marching Through Time” is a full-color 42-foot mural in the heart of the museum that serves as a historic timeline theme. There is also a research library featuring over 250 Veterans interviews, with plans to incorporate a recording studio where Veterans can share stories of their service and experiences. The museum also features monthly Veterans Coffees, special events, outreach programs, and online programs.
“Last year we filmed fifty veterans about their military history for the Library of Congress,” Fogle said. “Some of the regular activities we host are a monthly Veterans Breakfast, Young Marines meeting, PTSD meeting, Military Writers Group, MVVM Board Meeting, Honoring First Responders in September, and Talk to a Veteran in November. Recently, we have started Movie Matinee once a month. Our fundraisers include having a booth at the Miami County Fair, a Car Show at Fish and Game, Dancing With The Stars, Dine to Donate, and other special events.”
The museum is always open to volunteers from the community to assist in their various programs. Their Educational Outreach Program serves Miami, Darke, Shelby, Champaign, Clark, Greene, and Montgomery counties. They also have an ongoing need in the areas of construction, outdoor site, exhibits, education, collection support, and hospitality, among other teams. Monetary donations can be made through The Troy Foundation.
If you are interested in any of these volunteer opportunities or wish to donate memorabilia, contact the museum office at 937.332.8852. They can also be reached on Facebook, at their website www.miamivalleyveteransmuseum.org, or by email at mvvminfo@gmail.com.