Putting away artifacts and uniforms, organizing the office,
and preparing and setting up for exhibits are only a small portion of the work
as an intern at the museum. Currently a senior at California State University
of San Bernardino, I didn't know what was in store for me when I decided to do
my internship here at March Field Air Museum.
Being
my first internship, it truly has been an experience at the museum. I started
working in the Collections and Curatorial Department in mid-July and there was
no going back. I have done quite a few things as I said before. Organizing the
collection, processing new items (i.e. lots of paperwork), working in the
archives, scanning photos, and even cleaning up after floods is a lot of what I
do. The most memorable experience has been the development of the museum’s
soon-to-be newest exhibit, a collection of letters written by a 21 year-old
soldier corresponding with his parents during his training in the middle of
World War II. Vincent J. Rogers Jr. or as we lovingly call him “our boy Vince”,
was a front gunner on a B-24. The letters progress from his first enlisting,
going through radio school, then to aerial gunnery school, and lastly to his
being stationed at Tarawa where he was killed in action when his plane could not
reach altitude and crashed into a lagoon.
The progression of the exhibit has
been an eye opening experience. With Vince’s letters, I've learned that the
soldiers of the past, and even present and future, still have to live life.
Even though they’re in the military, they still have families and friends at
home who they love and miss. They still have to do they’re best, and fight for
their country, even if it costs their lives. Here at March, I've learned to
appreciate our military history and hope we do our best to preserve it. Not to
mention that we also have lots of cool airplanes around. Being here has given me experience for the
future, and a knowledge and family that I hope to never forget.
~ Erin Bryan
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