An Intern's Experience

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