News

Volunteers ‘exhibit’ various skill sets

  • Published
  • By Tommie Horton
  • Robins Public Affairs
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Bob Denison has an undeniable passion for airplanes. His attachment to them goes all the way back to the day he began aircraft maintenance school, just after graduating Air Force basic training in 1954.

Today, the retired master sergeant can be found at the Museum of Aviation restoring some of the very same type aircraft he maintained during his 20-year military career. Just as his service to our nation was voluntary, so is the time that he spends restoring aircraft at the museum.

Bob said he truly enjoys the role that he plays in preserving Air Force heritage, and he's very willing to talk with others about his work.

The list of aircraft he has helped to restore since beginning his service to the museum in 2007 is quite impressive.

"It gives me a great deal of pride and satisfaction to see the finished products of my work on display," he said.

There are other volunteers at the museum, but not all of them perform aircraft restorations. Many of them sit at the visitors' desks of each of the four exhibit buildings which are open to the public for free. There, they greet and welcome visitors to the museum.

Some conduct tours for groups associated with the military. Others perform tasks in the archives and library section of the museum. Some assist customers with purchases in the gift shop. They even conduct 90-minute history-based tours to groups of various ages.

Although there are many qualities that make a person an ideal candidate for museum service, two qualities that seem to stand out the most are an interest in military or aviation history, and a pleasure for meeting new people.

The service of volunteers helps to fill gaps in the personnel and resources needs of the museum.

"The work that volunteers perform here is absolutely vital to keeping the museum running," said Dan Hart, museum volunteer coordinator.

The museum, which sits on a beautiful 51-acre site next to Robins Air Force Base, is the second largest museum in the U.S. Air Force.

Exhibit buildings are open from 9 am to 5 pm daily.

Volunteers may choose the number of hours that they wish to serve. Persons interested in volunteering should contact Dan Hart at dan.hart@museumofaviation.org.