Family volunteers time, money to Museum of Aviation

A family of three volunteers from Kathleen have made a generous gift to the Museum of Aviation Foundation End-of-Year Campaign. Myrel and Irene Harner and their son Flint Harner, who have donated a combined total of 9,400 volunteer hours to the Museum of Aviation decided to donate even more -- a $1,000 donation to the End-of-Year campaign at the place they love so much.

Myrel, a retired U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant, has now reached more than 5,800 volunteer hours; Irene has given 3,100 hours; and Flint, the relative newcomer has already put in 500 hours at the Museum. They are part of the corps of 90 volunteers that keep the four museum exhibit buildings manned 7 days a week, 361 days a year.

“The Harners have given so much to the Museum, the Air Force and their country -- then they go do this. Our end-of-year campaign is very important to us, so we can’t thank them enough,” said Pat Bartness, President and Chief Operating Officer of the Museum of Aviation Foundation. “They are a wonderful family that keeps on giving.”

Myrel worked on or was associated with more than 12 different aircraft during his active duty career. He then worked 9 years as a civilian at Robins Air force Base supporting C-130, C-141 and F-15 aircraft. He started volunteering at the Museum in 1992 and helped restore the nose glass on the B-29 bomber in display in the Scott Exhibit Hangar.

Irene began volunteering early in their Air Force career. She volunteered with Air Force Family Services in California and Puerto Rico and at the Robins AFB Hospital in several capacities. She and Myrel were named Museum Volunteers of the Year in 2009.

Son Flint is following in their footsteps. He came to the Museum in 2010 and is one of the many greeters that welcome more than 500,000 visitors each year.

Story and photo:   http://warnerrobinspatriot.com