The Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio is simply spectacular, and one of John’s all-time favorite museums to visit. Possibly one of his favorite places, ever, I’m not sure. Maybe I’ll ask him real quick. Hold on.

“Hey, John, is the Air Force museum one of your favorite all-time places to go?”

“Yea.”

See?

Seriously, it’s quite amazing. Especially if you’re a history buff and aircraft geek like he is. Oh, and it’s Free. Did I mention that?

It’s quite huge — you can easily spend a day there. And then some. Starting with the Wright Brothers’ first plane ride, it’s organized chronologically throughout some three-plus huge hangars, with more aircraft on display outside. We’ve only gone less than a handful of times ourselves since we’ve lived here, but since I’ve never gone myself without the little ones along, I never got beyond WWII.

Olivia and a Post-WWII Hydrogen Bomb Explosion

Today, we decided to start with the post-WWII section and head straight for the Cold War. We walked through Air Force history from the Berlin Airlift all the way up to the modern era. I was particularly sobered by a video documentary that took you through a battle in Afghanistan narrated by the soldiers who fought it. Not all of them survived, but the ones who did credited the strategic air strikes for the reason they’re still here today.

When’s the last time you played tourist in your town?

I get that not everyone has great museums within easy distance to visit — especially ones that are free. But what about what you do have? Is there a statue or monument in your town somewhere? Perhaps in a public park, or in a square downtown, depicting a historical figure or an event of some importance to your area? Do you have any idea who that person is or what they did to merit the honor of having a statue, or memorial, erected in their name? Or what event was so significant to your town’s history to merit a place of honor?

"These wrist guards give me super powers!"

So often we neglect the history in our own backyard as being worthy of our attention. We take it for granted, or we never even consider it in the first place. I challenge you to look around you and consider the heroes and legends and historical figures that helped carve your town’s history, shape this country, or preserve the freedom that we all enjoy today. Take a moment to educate yourself, reflect on their service and valor, their sacrifice, and simply remember. And be thankful.

Underneath the skin of an F-86

If you do find yourself anywhere near the Dayton area, I highly recommend the Air Force Museum. Even if you don’t have a built-in walking aircraft Encyclopedia named John like I do telling you everything you never knew you wanted to know about the aircraft on display (seriously) (I mean no sarcasm here) you can gain so much just by walking through, reading the placards, and generally seeping up history through the awe-inspiring displays.

Olivia in the cockpit of an F-4

Even the kids will enjoy it, although with younger ones you may find it more difficult to stop and read the placards, so to speak. Or to stop and really lose yourself in the various video documentaries. There are plenty of hands-on experiences for them to enjoy, cockpits to sit in, and cargo holds to give you the feel of just how large these flying ships of steel really are. We can also highly recommend the IMAX  — though of course that experience is not free.

Come to think of it, you really ought to consider a visit to the Air Force Museum no matter where you live. Going through there again today reminded me of visiting our nation’s National Parks — you hear just as many foreign languages spoken by fellow visitors as you do English. Truly, we Americans do not take advantage of everything this amazing country has to offer as often as we should. How much of it have you seen? And what could you go and experience today?