March 4, 2015 VOLU M E 5 0 | I S S UE 9 | 7 5 ¢
Tri-LakesTribune.net T R I - L A K E S R E G I O N , M O N U M E N T, G L E N E A G L E , B L A C K F O R E S T A N D N O R T H E R N E L P A S O C O U N T Y
A publication of
Museum of World War II aviation a must see Tri-Lakes area residents are co-chairmen of the jaw-dropping museum By Danny Summers
dsummers@colorado communitymedia.com Tri-Lakes area residents Col. James Stewart and Bill Klaers are co-chairmen of the National Museum of World War II Aviation. It is a 501c(3) nonprofit organization located in southeast Colorado Springs adjacent to the shared runways of the Colorado Springs Airport and Peterson Air Force Base. Stewart, a retired Air Force fighter pilot with a background in aeronautical engineering, flight test and operations research, is well connected in the Pikes Peak region. Klaers’ passion for flying began in the 1980s when he was working as a general contractor in California. Eventually his hobby grew to become his vocation and passion when he founded and later expanded a company that specializes in the restoration of aircraft. He lives in Black Forest. “It’s awesome. It’s educational. It’s World War II,” said, Stewart, who lives just north of Baptist Road. “This museum is a huge thing for Colorado Springs. It’s one of its kind.” According to Stewart, there are three other similar World War II aviation museums in the United States, but there is no emphasis on education. The museum was opened to the public in October 2012, but it wasn’t until late last year that the museum’s board decided to begin a
The National Museum of World War II Aviation is based near the Colorado Springs Airport. The museum’s co-chairmen, Bill Klaer and Col. James M. Stewart (Ret.) live in the Tri-Lakes area. Courtesy photo speaker’s bureau. “The speaking events have gone better than we could have ever imagined,” Stewart said. “We’ve been pushing to do this and it seems to be very successful.” On March 7, the honored speaker will be Barbara Saks, 95, who worked at Britain’s super secret Bletchley Park during World War II to decrypt the German Enigma code. “She was in the audience at one of our events and when the speaker was talking about radar she chimed in,” Stewart said. “We thought she would be a great speaker and we’re excited to have her.” Saks’ informative discussion will give great insight into what really went on in the
Bletchley Park facility which is dramatized in the movie “The Imitation Game.” The cost is $10. Those who are interested can register online at worldwariiaviation.org. Stewart said the speaker’s bureau will be limited to people or events associated with World War II. The museum is overseen by a board of directors and assisted by a select group of consultants. It features interactive displays, exhibits and historical narratives. Among the many volunteer docents is John Henry. “People are absolutely amazed when they come here and visit,” Henry said. “The best part of it for me is raising people’s awareness
of World War II. “When our country went to war the entire nation went to war. Everybody was doing something to contribute to the war. Everybody was engaged.” On-site with the museum is WestPac Restorations, one of the foremost restoration companies in the world of World War II aircraft. As part of their experience, museum visitors can see WestPac’s collection of World War II war birds and see the restoration of planes in progress. Klaers, a Black Forest resident, is the president of WestPac Restoration. More information can be found at westpacrestorations. com. One of Klaers’ favorite aircraft — “In the Mood” — is on display at the museum. In 1992, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo, Klaers flew his B25 off of the deck of the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier Ranger near San Diego. He has flown the bomber off the decks of other carriers, including two flights during the filming of the movie “Pearl Harbor.” Stewart owns his private aircraft and flies for business and pleasure throughout the United States and Canada. Among his many stops when he was active was working at the Pentagon. During his tour there he assisted in bringing several aircraft and space systems from design to operational capability. He was also solely responsible for the visit of President Ronald Reagan and German Chancellor Helmut Kohl to Bitburg Air Base in Germany to commemorate the 40th anniversary of World War II. The event is considered pivotal to the demise of the Berlin Wall.
Woodmoor business owner and sister had a blast at Oscars Megan Bassett is a glass jewelry artist POSTAL ADDRESS
TRI-LAKES TRIBUNE (USPS 418-960)
OFFICE: 325 Second Street, Suite R Monument, CO 80132 PHONE: 719-687-3006 A legal newspaper of general circulation in El Paso County, Colorado, the Tri-Lakes Tribune is published weekly on Wednesday by Colorado Community Media, 1200 E. Highway 24, Woodland Park, CO 80863. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT MONUMENT, COLORADO and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210 Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 DEADLINES: Display: Thurs. 11 a.m. Legal: Thurs. 11 a.m. | Classified: Mon. 10 a.m. G ET SOCIAL WITH US
P L EA SE R ECYC L E T H I S C OPY
By Danny Summers
dsummers@coloradocommunitymedia.com And the Oscar for coolest original glass jewelry design goes to … Megan Bassett of Monument. Bassett, a Woodmoor resident, was in southern California a couple of weeks ago with her sister and business partner, Danielle Neureuther, soaking up the sun and the 87th Academy Awards with the rich and famous, bold and beautiful. Their purpose was to promote Bassett’s unique line of glass jewelry ranging from belt buckles to earrings. “We had so much fun and made some great contacts,” Bassett said. Bassett and Neureuther left for California on Sunday, Feb. 15 under sunny skies. They drove to Las Vegas, spent the night, and then headed to Santa Monica where they enjoyed the interesting sights. On Saturday, Feb. 21 —the day before the Oscars — they set up a booth at Club Nokia to exhibit Bassett’s art work. “Our booth was packed the entire day,” Bassett said. “We met a girl who ended up wearing our earrings to Elton John’s after-party (on Sunday).” Bassett received the invitation to set up her booth as a result of success she had showing her designs at a George Jones benefit concert in Nashville in 2013. The company that hosted the showing told Bassett she could have booth space at either the Grammy’s or Academy Awards. The night of the Oscars, Bassett and her sister were at the famed Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood watching the Academy Awards on big screen monitors. One day while they were walking around Santa Monica, the sisters spotted the music entertainer Pink having lunch at an outdoor café. “We gave her a pink belt buckle,” Bassett said. Bassett and Neureuther also made a business connection with famed fashion stylist Sisters continues on Page 5
Woodmoor business owner, Megan Bassett, left, of Miss Olivia’s Line, and her sister, Danielle Neureuther, were part of the 87th Academy Awards celebrations on Feb. 22. The sisters set up a booth to showcase Bassett’s unique glass jewelry. Courtesy photos
Miss Olivia’s Line is owned by Woodmoor resident Megan Bassett.