Camellia Gardens Memorial Service moved to museum Published May 19, 2016 By Angela Woolen Robins Public Affairs ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Since 1976, Robins has held an annual memorial service at the Camellia Gardens on base which pays tribute to deceased Team Robins members. On the 40th anniversary of the Camellia Gardens Memorial Service, the event will move from on base to the Museum of Aviation's Century of Flight Hangar. Because access to the base is limited, officials have decided to move the memorial to the museum. This will allow family members full access to the memorial 361 days a year according to Lt. Col. Jonathan Wade, 78th Air Base Wing chaplain. The museum is closed four days each year. The base is in the planning stages for what the new memorial will look like and where it will be at the museum. What will happen to the current memorial is also being discussed. This year though, families will be able to tour the current memorial after the ceremony with pre-registration. "The security posture of the base has changed since 1976," Wade said. This change limits the access of those families who have a family member memorialized at Camellia Gardens. Forty to 80 names are added each year which also creates an issue with the current site. With the number of names, the memorial would run out of room in a few years, he said. Names are added based on when they are recognized, not when the person passed away. In order to be accepted for the Robins memorial, a person's last duty station had to be Robins and have an honorable discharge. Another way is for those who retired as a civilian at Robins. "The memorial has served its purpose there for 40 years. We want something better and the number one thing is access," said Wade. The service will take place at 10 a.m. Thursday. For more information or to register for the tour, contact Master Sgt. Stacey Hazewood at 478-327-3772.