Freedom Does Have A Price
By honoring our veterans, we preserve our history and give thanks to those who fought for our freedom. Memories are a priceless treasure that will last forever as long as they are shared. Our country’s history must be preserved if younger generations are to learn from the past and live peacefully in the present. The city of Sevierville, Tennessee, is home to the Tennessee Museum of Aviation which showcases memorabilia from wars fought by Americans. This living museum features exhibits and aircraft that change frequently which makes each museum trip unique and memorable.
Listen To The Interview
In this segment of The Organic View Radio Show, host, June Stoyer talks to Vietnam War Veteran, Mr. Don Campbell about an amazing collection of memorabilia at the Tennessee Aviation Museum in beautiful Sevierville, Tennessee!
Airworthy Warbirds
The Tennessee Museum of Aviation is said to be the only place in the country to house two airworthy P-47 Thunderbolts. The aircraft hangar contains several airworthy aircraft; a large selection of vintage aircraft on static display; radial and jet engines; military vehicles; and various cockpits.
P-47D Thunderbolt Hun Hunter XVI
My Guide: Vietnam Veteran, Mr. Don Campbell
Mr. Don Campbell was born and raised on a farm in Southwestern Ohio, by parents of modest means. He attended college at Miami University on a baseball scholarship. He participated in the Air Force ROTC program during his four years of college and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant upon graduation in June of 1958.
Mr. Don Campbell
In July of that year, he went to Air Force Pilot Training—T-34 and T-28 trainee in Bartow, FL and Greenville, MS, followed by 20 years of flying jets and serving as an Air Force educator/instructor at various jobs. Mr. Campbell had one year of flying combat missions during the war in Vietnam.
In 1969, he was assigned as a combat fighter pilot flying the F-100 on close air support missions for Army and Marine ground forces in fire fights with enemy forces. After 21 years of active Air Force duty, he retired in September 1979.
For the next 12 years he taught Air Force Junior ROTC at Rancho High School in Las Vegas, NV. He retired in 1990 from teaching and moved back to his hometown in Ohio before moving once again to Eastern Tennessee with his beautiful wife, Kay.
Mr. Don Campbell guides a tour of the Tennessee Museum of Aviation in Sevierville, TN.
Experience American History
The TN Museum of Aviation is open year round and is a “living” museum. The exhibits and aircraft change frequently which makes each visit memorable. The museum is a great place for families to reminisce with veterans willing to share their memories with younger generations. When you visit the TN Museum of Aviation, you are taking a step back in time to experience a part of history in the heart of the Smoky Mountains.
Many items on display are donated by the families of those who served.
MUSEUM HOURS: Daily: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM – Sundays: 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
ADMISSION RATES: General Admission: $12.75 – Seniors (60+): $9.75 – Children (6-12 years): $6.75 – Children Under Age 6: Free (READ MORE)
We need to do more to honor our brave men and women other than twice a year. This is a great example of keeping those memories alive. Young people today have no idea what life was like back then. They need to be more appreciative for all our veterans sacrificed.
I have been to a number of museums that featured various exhibits but this one I had never heard of. It is now on my list of places my family will visit in 2016. Thank you and God bless America!
I am a teacher and years ago we were there on a school field trip. The kids really enjoyed their time there, especially with at the hangar. You can actually sit in one of the old planes. It is a great place to learn.
I was glad to learn about this place from Facebook. I am heading down to Tennessee during the holidays and intend to take my kids there. Thanks for the information.
I will check out the museum sometime this month. I have a business trip there and love aviation! I can’t believe this place exists. I have been to Tennessee so many times and never heard of it.
I’ve recently visited the museum. What an amazing place. More people need to know about it. Thanks for remembering our veterans!
I never knew this place existed. The pictures you shared are great. I will take my dad there soon!
The exhibits there are like no others I’ve seen. I highly recommend seeing this place at least once in your life.
My kids took a field trip there and I was a chaperone.It was so much better than what I expected. My boy learned a lot first hand about things my dad talked about. It was a nice way to bond.
Amazing place!
Excellent place for people of all ages!
I recently visited the TN Museum of Aviation. If you love history and especially love warbirds, this place is dynamite! I had heard of the stories about the planes but to actually sit in one with my dad was a real treat.