Uniform appeal: Airman's collection goes on display for Air Force Memorial dedication

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Julie Weckerlein
  • Air Force News Service
WASHINGTON (AFPN) --  One Airman's quest to retain the fabric of the Air Force's past was showcased here Oct. 14 as part of the Air Force Memorial dedication when dozens of Airmen paraded military uniforms from the past to the present.

Ranging from the militiamen of the Revolutionary War to the physical training gear of today's force, each volunteer Airman wore clothing from the different eras of the military. Men and women modeled pieces such as the orange flight suit from Vietnam, the "Good Humor" all-white mess dress from the 1980s, to the slashed-rank on the sleeves of the blue suit that stayed in service for a year in the 1990s.

The majority of the uniforms came from the personal collection of Tech. Sgt. Jack Waid from Offutt Air Force Base, Neb.

"Today, we had uniforms dating back from the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, but as for my collection, I focus from 1947 to today," he said. "That's the year we became the Air Force."

It all started in 1997 when he was stationed at the Air Force Academy in Colorado. Put in charge of decorating for the Airmen's Banquet, he wanted to do something never done before: Display the different uniforms worn throughout the years. The only problem? He couldn't find any.

"The museums have them, but they don't rent them out," he said. "I managed to find some that could be rented, but that cost a hefty chunk of change. Luckily, the committee was able to pay for it, but it got me thinking."

He decided that there should be a place where uniforms are collected and restored, and brought out to the public for people to touch and feel, even try on.

"This wasn't so much a personal collection as it is a public collection," he said. "I really feel that in order to understand our history and our identity, something like this should be available for people to come up and experience."

So he hit the Internet and thrift shops, searching for uniforms pulled out from the dusty corners of veterans' closets and purchasing them with his own money. Word spread of what he was doing, and donations started filtering in. With the support of his wife and four children, his garage became his storage and workshop, where he sews and repairs his finds.

"It's really hit and miss with the quality of these uniforms," he said. "Sometimes they are in really great shape, and in others, they are very worn out. But that's okay, because Airmen aren't always pristine. We work in these clothes and they wear out. That's part of the story."

It was a no-brainer for him to bring all the uniforms to the opening and dedication of the Air Force Memorial here. He said he's honored to be able to share the collection with the public.

The volunteer Airmen who modeled the uniforms were equally motivated to participate in the event. Maj. Stanley Sebastian, Jr., who works in the Pentagon as chief of officer skills requirements for the Air Force manpower and personnel office, said he signed up right away when the call came out for volunteers.

"I thought it would be a nice way to be involved with the opening of the memorial," he said. He wore a khaki uniform from 1947, complete with hat and rank. Fitting into the uniform wasn't a problem.

"It's like it was made for me," he said. "It couldn't have been a better fit."

Walking onto the stage in the uniform, with the three spires of the memorial in the background, was a great moment for him, he said.

"I love history, especially Air Force history, and being able to be a part of this day, it's really a great thing," he said.