05/22/2026
Greetings and Salutations:
It has now been two years since I last asked for donations from the business community. Once again we are in need of funds beyond those normally raised by sales from the Gift Shop and from events held in the Community Center.
We have several projects to attempt this summer. In order of Priority, they are:
a. Marking the parking spaces on either side of the approach sidewalk as handicap. $100.00
b. Repairing the Lighting for the Retreat Site so both aimed flood lights function. $300.00
c. Repainting the Insignia on the Port Wing and the U.S.A.F. marking on the Starboard wing of the B-52. $300.00
d. Finish the paint work on the B-52. Painting the juncture between the camo and the black on the sides of the fuselage, repainting the landing gear doors and repainting the underside of the engine nacelles in Gloss Black. $500.00
e. Repainting the entire FB-111 in Dark Olive Drab Green and stenciling the lettering on the jet. $700.00
f. Repainting the wing surfaces on the F-101 and F-106. The years of weather have taken their toll and degraded the paint to an unacceptable level. $800.00
g. Replacing the Insignia on the south facing side of the fuselage and the Port wing on both the F-101 and the F-106. $500.00
h. Paint Stripping the Parking lot to create designated parking spaces each 10 feet wide and 20 feet deep in four lines of parking. $500.00
These projects total $3,700 and all need to be done. We would appreciate any donation you can find it in your heart to make. Anything will help. As always, you may designate what your donation is intended to help us accomplish. If you make no designation, we will assign the money to whichever project is next in line. Any excess funds at the end of the summer will be applied to the Building Purchase Fund.
We have now been in this building since 2005 and know of no other facility that would be suitable for us to move into her on K. I. Sawyer. Consequently, we are still looking for a source of funds so we can actually purchase the building we are in since our landlord is still trying to sell it. We estimate that $250,000 is what it will take to buy the building and make the needed renovation to allow for a dedicated Handicap accessible restroom. If anyone receiving this letter knows of a good grant source or writer or better yet a benefactor, please feel free to let us know. Most Grant Sources want to build a new facility, Repair or Expand an existing facility, but finding one to help purchase an existing facility has been elusive. The K. I. Sawyer Heritage Air Museum is a designated 501c(3) nonprofit charity and your donations are tax deductible up to 50% of your Adjusted Gross Income.
Would you please give consideration to helping us get these projects done and preserving the Heritage of this place.
You should also be aware that the Historical Society of Michigan is having an Upper Peninsula History Conference June 25 through June 28 at NMU. You can get more information by calling 1800 692 1828 or by visiting www.hsm.pub.uphc2026
As always, we are open to the public Wednesday through Sunday from 1 PM to 5 PM and also by special appointment.
Our Community Center is available to rent at $55.00 per hour and can host up to 300 people.
You can visit us at https://www.facebook.com/kisawyerheritageairmuseum click on Photos then Albums and you can see the entire museum in photos.
Thank you for your kind consideration.
Richard Verwey
President, K. I. Sawyer Heritage Air Museum Inc.
To Collect, Preserve, & Present the History of K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base and the units assigned. Also, to promote Aviation, both civil and military while bringing you news of Force Modernization and providing commentary on our Republics history.
