Museum launches concert in the park Published July 21, 2009 By 21st Space Wing Public Affairs PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- The Peterson Air and Space Museum Foundation once again sponsors Concert in the Park July 31 at the Peterson Airpark. "The concert is in the middle of the Air Park - a natural partnership between the displays that are showing the heritage of the Air Force and the Army," said Gail Whalen, museum director. "The Air Force Academy band are such professionals - they are really good at stirring up the audience and using their music to show the appreciation we all have for our servicemembers, past and present." The event starts at 5 p.m. with free hotdogs, hamburgers and bottled water, followed by music from 6 to 7:45 p.m. by the Air Force Academy Band's Wild Blue Country ensemble. "It's a chance for us to say 'thank you' and show appreciation for members of the military community who have made and are still making so many sacrifices for their country," said Jeff Nash, museum deputy director and curator. The museum occupies what was once the Colorado Springs Airport passenger terminal, dating back to 1941, and highlights the early days of aviation, a hangar full of Peterson and space history, and 21 vintage aircraft and missiles on display, including Cold War-era interceptors and support aircraft. "Our volunteers work hard to maintain these displays as well as share information, and concert-goers can check out these displays while they enjoy the music," he said. A new display, the Peacekeeper ICBM Missile Procedures Simulator, will be open, as well as the fully equipped EC-121T "Warning Star" radar aircraft, Ms. Whalen added. The museum is located at 150 E. Ent. Ave. and the concert is free to all active duty and retired military, civilian DoD employees and their family members. Event organizers advise to bring a lawn chair or blanket and relax on the knolls in the beautiful Airpark. For more information on this entertaining and relaxing event, call 556-4915 or 556-8314.