Trending
A flight suit worn during missions in Operation Iraqi Freedom. A survival knife; a mission planning tool; pilot logs; information about the Black Hawk helicopter. All of these items are now on display at the Wheeling-Ohio County Airport's museum, dedicated by local veterans of the Gulf War and the War on Terror.
Benjamin Mlynek of Bellaire, a member of the West Virginia National Guard's 150th Aviation Regiment based in Wheeling, worked with others to coordinate the new display, which debuted during an official ceremony on Nov. 12.
The display's goal is to honor veterans of those wars and also educate the public on the how the wars were fought and the sacrifice made my many.
Thomas Innocenti III, a Wheeling native and retired Marine Corps pilot, donated a flight suit and other gear from missions he flew during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Innocenti is the son of longtime Ohio County Schools administrator Thomas Innocenti II, and he said it was his father who pushed him to donate items for the new display.
"I know a lot of veterans who served in the Global War on Terrorism, and it is so special to dedicate this room," Innocenti said. "I really look forward to coming up to the airport and enjoying it."
We encourage the public to do the same. Learning more about the efforts and sacrifices of those who have fought for our country over the past 30 years is important, and will help to shape generations to come.