This post is different, because it is not about us, Mt. Pleasant or even Sanpete County. It's about history. World War II history. Wendover, Utah? Yes, Wendover. A co-worker told me about the historic Wendover Airport, which was a vital training post during WWII. The Enola Gay squadron trained there. At one point there was approximately 20,000 soldiers training and living in Wendover, Utah. In the mid 70's the Air Force closed their operations in Wendover and the land and buildings were given to Tooele County. The Airport was losing money, the buildings were falling in disrepair and there was one man who stood between Wendover and the bulldozer. He went to work. The airport became a profit center, and the officers club was restored. That is the building the museum, gift shop and the new mess hall are located. I gave my husband tour tickets for his birthday; he looked at the tickets and said Wendover? Right until we got there he was Mr. Doubter. Five hours later, he was a believer, I was a believer and I wanted to tell the world to go to Wendover! For $45 we got rides in a 1940s Army Jeep, a fun open air shuttle kinda like at the zoo and of course, an air conditioned van. We toured the fire house, the vault room (right up my alley as a security specialist), barracks, nurses quarters, hospital, original mess hall, and then we had a yummy sandwich buffet lunch which was included in the tour price. Then we went to the southern end and saw more cool stuff, including a bunker, a testing area, and the Enola Gay hangar. When we returned to the museum the staff (VOLUNTEERs, all volunteers ) handed out popsicles, cause, yea, it was hot.
There were about 30 people, including a Pearl Harbor survivor who served on the USS Pennsylvania. Only one of five still living. What a privilege to meet him. There were other veterans as well, from Korea, Vietnam, and the War on Terrorism. Anyway, go, see the sights, meet the people, enjoy. You're welcome.
http://www.wendoverairbase.com/
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| This is the Officer's Club which has been refurbished; they have a mess hall in here, a small museum, a GIFT SHOP! a class room, ballroom, big room for parties |
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| The old fire house has a TV for the firefighters in the breakroom... anyone remember these? |
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| I seriously want one; tried to borrow this, but the tour guides kept watching me like they knew i coveted stuff! |
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| Coolest posters ever |
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| Old nursing quarters are now rooms for artists to express themselves. Can't explain it, you just have to see it... |
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| He graciously let me take a picture with him! and yes, my face is still bruised from my Lake Powell escapade. Looks super good now! |
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| WW2 jeep, a volunteer, the salt flats and hubby. |
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| THE hangar. It is being refurbished. If you go and give them money it will be easier for them to maintain this history! |
I want to go back, I am sure I missed something. Probably something at the gift shop. I will definitely be there for the air show. Wanna know when it is? Go to the web site and check it out! See you there!
