2017 November PASO Magazine

Don Avery, with brothers Dirk and Mark
Hale, have assisted Mr. McMaster to create many
of the exhibits. They’ve been with Gary for years
and are the backbone behind the construction of
the displays by collecting, salvaging, refurbishing
and preserving artifacts. Almost everything has
been donated by either the military itself, private
collectors or military members who have decided
it is better to have people see and understand
rather than keep items themselves. If there hadn’t
been a place for these items to be donated to, this
utterly fantastic slice of history would have been
lost or trashed. Honestly, Gary’s team’s dedicated
work has produced a truly marvelous collection.
The first building to see is where one goes to
sign in and get a flavor of what’s in store. The history
of the Salinian Indians, very early ranches
in San Miguel, the work of the Army Corps of
Engineers at the beginning of the last century
were all important steps in to establishing the
camp. History of the camp itself, Corporal Roberts’
story, and most of the memorabilia of the
thousand entertainers who came during WW2
along with the first displays of America’s military
presence beginning with WW1 are located here.
It’s a busy building to absorb.
The Museum Annex will blow your hair back.
I, like so many, have just been busy and it’s been
about three years since my last visit, when the
Annex was in its early stages. Viva la Difference!
80 mannequins wearing period uniforms or
clothing — be they us or the enemy — are the
first thing one notices.
Seemingly thousands of photos and original
letters are framed on the walls. Simply amazingly
preserved memories! The laundry operated
24/7/365 and employed 700 women and 400
men to keep up with the demand in WW2.
The Post Office display shows why it was the
busiest military post office anywhere. There is
a SATCOM display, radio room, and enough
vehicles both inside and outside to stagger the
imagination.
There’s even an area where kids can don different
uniforms and be photographed holding
frightening weapons (all non-operational of
course) that were part of preserving America’s
freedoms.
Tanks, self-propelled howitzers, wheeled vehicles
and helicopters can actually be climbed
into for the ‘oohs and ahhs’ that make the experience
much more real.
For more information, go to CampRoberts
HistoricalMuseum.com or their Facebook page.
The museum is open Thursday and Saturday
from 9 a.m. to 4p.m. This is an active military
base so you’ll need your driver’s license, proof of
auto insurance and car registration at the main
gate just up the 101 at exit 244.
Once inside, you might decide that this is a
place for your donations to go, or even end up
being a volunteer to work on vehicles, do publicity
or clerical work. For sure, you’re gonna
have a great visit or my name ain’t “wanna-be
General Chuck.”
November 2017, PASO Magazine 21