ABOUT
The idea to create a
military heritage museum
on the Oregon coast
started percolating back in
mid-2008 when founding
Director Cal Applebee
attended a non-profit
planning
seminar
representing the Veterans
Parade Committee of
Florence. During that
seminar, he discovered
that approximately 21
percent of the Florence
community were Veterans,
as well as the fact that
approximately
1,300
WWII Veterans die each
day in the United States.
He began to realize that,
combined
with
the
retirement age population
of the community, much
of their heritage and even
their artifacts could be lost
upon their passing. Cal
shared his thoughts with
the other Directors of the Veterans Parade Committee of Florence, and founding Directors
Tim Sapp and Wayne Sharpe agreed that a museum was a logical next step. They began
recruiting additional like-minded individuals to join them, and over the following few
months, a new Board was formed for the Oregon Coast Military Heritage Museum,
officers were elected, and planning began for our mission and focus.
This led to the tag line from our mission statement: “Honoring our Veterans by
educating our public.” We feel it is important to educate the public about, and honor the
sacrifices made during, all periods of military conflict, not just any particular period of
history. We feel it is also important to educate the public and honor all aspects of military
service, not just one particular branch or discipline. All Veterans and their families, past
and present, have contributed greatly to our nations heritage and safety, and are worthy of
honoring.
When word got out that a military museum was going to be built, many people
expressed excitement and interest in helping. And with a small grant and some seed money
from good friends, the museum began to take shape. For four years a stalwart group of
volunteers pursued the dream, sawing away at obstacles, shoveling resources into
necessities, hammering out decisions, moving heaven and earth to raise funds, and
painting a positive picture for the eagerly awaiting public.
Florence Habitat for Humanity
Volunteers salute all
Veterans and stand ready to assist
area veterans with home repairs
and other maintenance chores.
Congratulations
on the Military Museum!
What an accomplishment!
www.fl orencehabitat.org
OPENING
CEREMONIES:
Saturday, July 4th, 2015
• Ribbon Cutting 1:00 pm
• USCG Color Guard presentation
• Pledge of Allegiance
• Star Spangled Banner performed by Nyha Vollmar
• America the Beautiful
performed by Nancy Pearson and Wayne Sharpe
• Introduction of VIP’s, President Tim Sapp
• Acknowledgements – Wayne Sharpe and Tim Sapp
• Special Message - Ray Brown
• Dessert Auction
Congratulations and
THANK YOU
for your hard work to our community
Disabled American Veterans #23
1715 21st St. • Florence
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2530 Hwy. 101, Florence • 541-997-4505
Oregon Coast Military Museum Grand Opening | July 1, 2015 - 3
