The Greatest Generations

Tom Brokaw, wrote in The Greatest Generation, about those men and women born roughly between 1901 and 1924 who fought in WWII. He argued that they fought not for fame and recognition, but because it was the right thing to do and that when they came back they built America into a world superpower (and set the stage for the cold war).

I'd like to take a moment in this blog to recognize someone from that generation, a relative and a friend and also say something about "Generations" and the mission of the Cold War Air Museum.

Glen D. Emerson was born on May 18th, 1922 and died on March 30, 2010. Glen served when called upon and never lost his passion for flying. A man of many accomplishments, he lived his life without embellishment and will be sorely missed by his family and friends.

My "Greatest Generations" are those who have come before and those who will come after, because they are the ones who have given us our present and will give us our future. Part of the mission of this museum is education, linking our past and present together to benefit our future.

In addition to enjoying the display and demonstration of our aircraft, there is within each of our associates a young man (or woman) like the one pictured above, who stands ready to help the young (and not so young) who visit us learn about our aircraft and those previous generations. The mere physical assets of our museum gain their greatest value from that combination of associates, volunteers and visitors coming together.

Fly away home Uncle Glen, we'll see you soon on that flight line up above.