MENTONE — Hundreds attended the sixth annual Rotors Over Mentone, Saturday, Sept. 12, at the Lawrence D. Bell Aircraft Museum. The day was also a celebration of the 40th anniversary of the museum’s start and recognition of women veterans. Events began at 10 a.m. and lasted until early evening.
Rae Ann Panther speaks of her experience in the United States Air Force
A brief ceremony was held outside the museum’s hanger in the cool, windy, almost fall like, morning. A brief history of the museum was presented and past and present board members recognized. The first board was organized in 1974 with $4 in the treasury. In 1982 the original portion of the museum was converted into a Mentone History Museum and with the support of the community, a hanger bay was added for aviation history.
Rae Ann Panther, Bunker Hill, active in the United States Air Force from October 1974 to March 1981, and Eugenia Fulkerson, a Donut Dollie, civilian volunteer, during the Vietnam war, were the guest speakers.
Panther served in Korea, Vietnam, Italy. She was in the first Women of the Air Force basic training squadrons to go through the obstacle course and small arms training. She was also one of the first female law enforcement military working dog handlers-narcotic detector dog certified. She received an expert marksmanship ribbon and several other military awards and commendations. She is 100 percent service connected disabled veteran due to injuries during active duty service.
Panther spoke of her experience and challenged those present with the same challenge John F. Kennedy issued in 1961 “Ask not what you can do for your country.”
Eugenia Fulkerson was a Dollie Donut girl during the Vietnam Conflict.
Fulkerson, Warsaw, served during the peak of the Vietnam war, from 1968-1969. She was a Donut Dollie, their job was to detract men on the front line with games, songs and a listening ear. They were the heirs to a Red Cross recreational program in World War II, delivering a touch of home to the combat zone. Fulkerson shared her experience and how the sound of a helicopter brings back the memories of her service.
She encouraged veterans of Vietnam to share their story with family members, and encouraged family members to be ready to stay in the room as the rage and guilt comes. For many this is the first time in 50 years they have talked about it. She also encouraged people, when seeing a Vietnam veteran, to welcome them home, you may be the first to express that to the veteran.
Other women who served in the military or on the home front were recognized: Sally Nichols, Warsaw, joined the navy she served from 1945-46; Lenora Stump, Warsaw, who served in the Army during the Korean War from 1955-57; PFC 1st Class Jennifer Felzien, Army National Guard, and is a combat medic; Rhonda Rife, who served in the Army, and Marjorie Rogers who worked in the Bowmar factory, a defense plant from 1962-64, where she wired B52 bomber sticks.
Guests at the event could take the opportunity for helicopter rides offered by sweet aviation, or rides on the American Huey 369. The American Red Cross bloodmobile was on hand accepting blood donations and lunch available.
Many took the opportunity to take a look at the aviation displays in the hanger bay and items in the Mentone History museum and of course look at the helicopters displayed, including the Lutheran Air II, an air ambulance, which was present for a short period of time.
