Story By Hector Hernandez Jr. | Highland Community News
The Norton Air Force Base Museum observed its second year anniversary with a celebration complete with car show, live musical entertainment and distinguished guest speakers, March 21.
The celebration was a time of reflection for those who remember Norton when it was an active Air Force base, 1942 to 1994, and a time to celebrate the honoring of that history by the creation of the museum as a place to gather and share artifacts and memories. The museum is filled with items donated or loaned to the museum by people who have worked or served at the air base. This includes a full-height portion of the Berlin Wall loaned to the museum by San Bernardino Councilman Henry Nickel and on display near the museum’s Veteran’s Memorial.
“It’s hard to believe this museum is two years old and three years in the making. The story of Norton continues to be told each day the museum is open. We never know which story is going to be told with the next person to come through the door to share their memorabilia,” said Robert Edwards, museum president, before introducing guest speakers: 40th District Assemblyman Marc Steinorth, San Bernardino County Supervisor Josie Gonzales, San Bernardino Mayor Cary Davis, San Bernardino Councilwoman Virginia Marquez and San Bernardino International Airport Deputy Director of Aviation Mark Gibbs.
“My father was stationed at Norton AFB working in the ballistic missile department from 1980 to 1985,” Steinorth said. “It’s really exciting to be here an see what’s happened to the BMX, the commissary, the American youth club and to see how the NCO club had been rebuilt into this absolutely gorgeous museum.”
He then shared that the Combat Camera building, where his mother worked, was where the “I Dream of Jeannie” TV show was filmed.
“All of us here recognize the commitment that this base was to our community and how all of those that served – either active duty, reserves or civilian employees – had a great part in shaping our lives and how the community grew,” Steinorth said.
Last to speak was Gibbs who shared the still developing history of the San Bernardino International Airport, created after Norton’s closer in 1994.
He said the airport evolved in three chapters the first of which was the environmental remediation and deed transfer stage. Next came the infrastructure revitalization chapter with the replacement and updating of the runway, taxiways, hangers and more. According to Gibbs, much of these improvements are complete or near complete.
The third and current chapter is about bringing business to the airport, something the airport has begun in the last 18 months, Gibbs said. According to Gibbs 2014 was the airport’s best year to date with about 29,000 flights and the recent addition of several new hanger tenants, such as the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Aviation Department.
The live musical entertainment was selected to highlight the World War II era from which the base was created. The Riverside Swing Band opened with the national anthem and later entertained with big band and swing tunes as guests viewed the car show, perused vender booths and enjoyed the foods. The Riverside Concert Band also gave a performance.
The Lindy Sisters, back by popular demand, sang 1940s favorites dressed for the period.
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