Oregon Military Museum
Honor - Educate - Preserve
On the beautiful, sunny morning of June 22, 2024, several of our members gathered at the “Covered Wagons” in Oregon City for a fifteen minute drive led by event host Jim Sweet and his son Jay to the Oregon Military Museum at Camp Withycombe. In our caravan were six 1957 Thunderbirds and one Retro-Bird plus at least three other vehicles. A couple of other members met us at the destination. I counted 18 members at the museum. (I can only find 17 in the group photo, however…)
We were greeted by our tour guide, Katrina. She, along with several other very knowledgeable volunteers, led us into the main building for a guided tour of about an hour. The tour walked us through a wide variety of exhibits from the Civil War era through current day military artifacts. Weaponry included very old cannons, big artillery, anti-aircraft guns, even a torpedo used in the movie, “Destination Tokyo” staring Cary Grant. Transport equipment on display ranged from a covered wagon, to various era Ford and Willys Jeeps, to a very early hard-rubber tired truck, and three motorcycles. There was even a Korean War era F86 Sabre Jet on display inside the building!
On our own outside, there were five tanks on display including a WW-II era Patton tank and a Gulf War era Abrams tank. They allowed visitors to climb into one armored vehicle. We also visited the Quartermaster Storehouse and the repurposed Horse Barn.
Katrina informed us that other displays are in the works that will be open to the public, perhaps next year.
Following the tour, eleven of our group headed out to the Carver Hangar for lunch. Jim and Jay had to leave early, while Diane Clark joined the group at the restaurant.
By Jim Sweet
Many Thanks to Jim for setting up this event and the above write-up. Photos courtesy Jim Sweet & John Sailors
Honor - Educate - Preserve
On the beautiful, sunny morning of June 22, 2024, several of our members gathered at the “Covered Wagons” in Oregon City for a fifteen minute drive led by event host Jim Sweet and his son Jay to the Oregon Military Museum at Camp Withycombe. In our caravan were six 1957 Thunderbirds and one Retro-Bird plus at least three other vehicles. A couple of other members met us at the destination. I counted 18 members at the museum. (I can only find 17 in the group photo, however…)
We were greeted by our tour guide, Katrina. She, along with several other very knowledgeable volunteers, led us into the main building for a guided tour of about an hour. The tour walked us through a wide variety of exhibits from the Civil War era through current day military artifacts. Weaponry included very old cannons, big artillery, anti-aircraft guns, even a torpedo used in the movie, “Destination Tokyo” staring Cary Grant. Transport equipment on display ranged from a covered wagon, to various era Ford and Willys Jeeps, to a very early hard-rubber tired truck, and three motorcycles. There was even a Korean War era F86 Sabre Jet on display inside the building!
On our own outside, there were five tanks on display including a WW-II era Patton tank and a Gulf War era Abrams tank. They allowed visitors to climb into one armored vehicle. We also visited the Quartermaster Storehouse and the repurposed Horse Barn.
Katrina informed us that other displays are in the works that will be open to the public, perhaps next year.
Following the tour, eleven of our group headed out to the Carver Hangar for lunch. Jim and Jay had to leave early, while Diane Clark joined the group at the restaurant.
By Jim Sweet
Many Thanks to Jim for setting up this event and the above write-up. Photos courtesy Jim Sweet & John Sailors
Cartoon of the Day
