"Back at the Gap" Major General Frank H. Smoker, Jr. (USAF, Retired) Museum will keep telling Gap’s story 50th and last in a series This is the last of a series of my articles about Fort Indiantown Gap. One hundred weeks ago, I started writing these biweekly articles with the purpose of acquainting the people of our community about the history and status of Fort Indiantown Gap and to convey its importance to the vital military and economic value to our community. The idea was generated at a meeting of the Military Affairs Committee of the Lebanon County Chamber of Commerce and the series was published in cooperation with the editorial staff of the Lebanon Daily News. Judging from the favorable feedback I’ve received from numerous people, they really enjoyed reading these articles. Many responded with such statements as “I never knew about all the activities that go on Back at the Gap”. I am very appreciative and thank my readers for their positive response. Now I plan to compile all these 50 articles into a book, Back at the Gap, adding some history and photographs that space did not permit in the newspaper articles. I plan to publish this book, with all the proceeds going to the Pennsylvania National Guard Military Museum at Fort Indiantown Gap. My goal is to raise much-needed funding for the museum. Back in 1984, while still Commander of the Pennsylvania Air Guard, I conceived the need for the Pennsylvania National Guard Museum to be established at Fort Indiantown Gap. With the excellent help of Col. Donald V. Snyder, Air Guard Executive Officer, and Lt. Col. Joseph Holt of the Adjutant General’s staff, both of whom have a great interest in military history, the plan was developed and approved by the Adjutant General of Pennsylvania, Major General Richard M. Scott. Charles B. Oellig, our volunteer curator, assisted in the development of the museum in 1986 and has been associated with it ever since. He is the former Museum Technician in the Collections Management Division of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg, and a Fellow of the Company of Military Historians. We are very fortunate to have his expert technical guidance. Another volunteer John Schreffler, an expert in developing and producing museum displays, energetically supports him. Today, the Pennsylvania National Guard Military Museum at Fort Indiantown Gap is a well-run museum of historical items of the Pennsylvania National Guard. Our intent is to provide a greater understanding of the significant role played by the Pennsylvania Army and Air National Guard units throughout American history. The museum preserves and honors the history of these National Guard units from the Civil War to the present, with special emphasis on the second half of the 19th and of the 20th Century, interpreting through educational means for citizens, veterans, and young people the story of the “The Guard” and Fort Indiantown Gap. The main museum is located in Barracks Building T-8-57, and annex T-8-56, located at the intersection of Service Road and Wiley Road, telephone (717) 861-2402. The public is cordially invited to visit during operating hours on Mondays and Fridays, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. To schedule an appointment at other times, call (717) 861-8720. Groups are welcome. We welcome all to become a Friend of the Museum by sending a contribution in the amount of $10 or more to the Pennsylvania National Guard Military Museum, Fort Indiantown Gap, Building T-8-57, Annville, PA 17003. Our museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Your gift is tax deductible. We have so many artifacts that display space is at a premium. Our future plan is to renovate the annex next door (T-8-56) to create more critically needed display space. However, we need funding to build another separate building nearby for storage of the vast amount of items already accumulated. It was fitting that the former barracks number T-8-57 was chosen as the site for this new museum because it is a typical barracks building that saw use during World War II, and during the Korean and Vietnam wars, when it was home for a company of 63 soldiers. This two-story barracks building still looks much as it did during the 1940’s. A portion of the museum is set up “the way it was” in 1941 when the barracks was first used. In addition to depicting the soldier’s living quarters, current displays include photographs, various uniforms and other clothing items ranging from the Spanish American War, World Wars I and II, up to and including the Gulf War, personal items and other memorabilia, flags, swords and other weapons such as pistols, rifles, cannons and a Gattling gun, and mess hall equipment of the 1940’s and later. Several exhibits are also devoted to Air Guard memorabilia. Other exhibits relate to the first National Guard camp at Mt. Gretna, established in 1885, items featuring the 28th Infantry Division, and memorabilia depicting Indiantown Gap Military Reservation as it was in the 1940’s during World War II and beyond. The displays are changed from time to time as the museum acquires additional items after they are cataloged and prepared for display. Additional military related items donated by members of the Army and Air National Guard and others are welcome. In fact, all military related items are accepted. I have been asked, where did I get all the historical information for these articles? First of all, it has always been my ambition to write a book about the history of the Gap, and I have collected reams of material over the years. Also, as I bring these articles to a close, I must acknowledge that they would not have been possible without the many people who have contributed in one way or another to this work. Sergeant Major (Retired) Warren P. Parks heads the list of those to whom I am indebted for help and encouragement in this undertaking. In addition, John Blanda, the former U. S. Army Garrison Public Affairs Officer and now the Executive Director of the Lebanon County Historical Society, has been a great source of information. Colonel (Retired) Francis Ditzler, a well-known expert on the history of northern Lebanon County, has also been extremely helpful. Another important supporter has been our museum curator Charles Oellig. He continues to be a valuable source of historical material to aid in my study. I owe two others many thanks for their help – Mr. Henry Holman, retired news director for WLBR, and Lt Col Chris Cleaver, Public Affairs Officer at the Gap. And last but not least, I extend my thanks to Dyan L. Yienst who shared research on the history of Fort Indiantown Gap with me that she developed while serving as an intern with the Public Affairs Office at the Gap. As I complete this Back at the Gap series, I can report that the Gap is not only alive and well – it is thriving! For the citizens of Lebanon County, it continues to provide great military value to our State and Nation as well as having a significant impact to our local economy. And for my readers of 100 weeks ago who may remember the story of my legacy, the stone wall that I built at Quarters 15 on Clement Avenue, I want you to know that the stone wall is still there! Published in the Wednesday, October 12, 2005 edition of the Lebanon Daily News © 2005 Frank H. Smoker, Jr. All rights reserved. Reproduced by permission of the author. Go "Back at the Gap" Index