Living Legends bring Air Force history to life Published Aug. 17, 2007 By Senior Airman Danny Monahan Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- In 2006 the Air Force entered its 60th anniversary year culminating with the service celebrating six decades of Airpower Sept. 18, 2007. 2007 also marks the 50th anniversary of Minot Air Force Base. With both of these milestones on the horizon, a group of Airmen from both the 5th Bomb Wing and 91st Space Wing are launching a program to help educate members of the base and local community about Air Force history and heritage, as well as honoring those who wore the uniform throughout the Air Force's existence. Team Minot 5/6 Living Legends is made up of base Airmen who don period uniforms and tell the stories of the former Airmen who originally served wearing those uniforms. "It made sense to start the program here as we prepare to celebrate both the Air Force's 60th birthday and Minot Air Force Base's 50th," said Tech Sgt James Heath, 91st Space Wing Safety Office and Living Legends Co-Chair. "As the youngest of the services, we don't have a history as long as the Army or the Navy, but what we do have should still be remembered and preserved." In order to help remember, Living Legends Airmen will start appearing around the base carrying out their daily duties while wearing historical uniforms such as Army Air Force "pinks and greens," olive-drab fatigues and 1505 Khaki uniforms. The group is represented on the Bomb Wing side by Co-Chair Staff Sgt. Trevor Tiernan, 5th Bomb Wing Protocol Office. "One of the Chief of Staff 's [Gen. T. Michael Moseley] focuses has been a return to our Air Force heritage, including the heritage jacket, which echoes many of the uniforms worn by Airmen from generations past," he said. "The Living Legends program is an effective and immediate way to teach today's Airmen about where we [the Air Force] came from." Minot's Living Legends plan is to start making their first appearances throughout September at such events as the Military Affairs Committee luncheon, the Northern Neighbors Day Hangar Party and the Air Force Birthday Ball. Guidance and mentorship was provided by Chief Master Sgt. Mark Brejcha, 91st Space Wing Command Chief Master Sergeant, who has previously been involved with Living Legends programs at Dover Air Force Base, Del. and F.E. Warren Air Force, Wyo. "Every time I've been involved in this program it has been an outstanding success," said Chief Brejcha. "Our Airman's Creed states 'I am faithful to a proud heritage, a tradition of honor and a legacy of valor.' The Living Legends program brings that heritage, tradition and legacy to life." Currently the group is trying to source more uniforms -- specifically uniforms from 1947 to Operation Desert Storm. "Women's uniforms are the hardest to find, so we're definitely looking for those," said Sergeant Heath. "Although, we won't turn anything away." According to Sergeant Tiernan, uniforms can either be donated to the organization or on a temporary loan. In either case, the story told will be that of the Airman who the uniform belonged to. "We've drawn up a wish-list of the things we really want to find," said Sergeant Tiernan. "We're especially looking for old ties, belts, buckles, collar brass, stripes and hats. A priority for us though is finding a place to store everything." To be a part of Living Legends, or to donate uniform items, contact Sergeant Heath at 723-2293 or Sergeant Tiernan at 723-3474.