Heritage rooms a constant reminder of those who paved the way

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Todd Wivell
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AFB, S.D. --  The rooms are kept immaculate. The carpets look as if they've been freshly vacuumed and there are no smudges on any of the windows, mirrors or glass cases. The uniforms are hung with pride and each artifact is kept in excellent condition. The only noise heard is the occasional footstep of an approaching visitor. 

The 28th Bomb Wing Airman Leadership School and 28th Security Forces Squadron heritage rooms are located here within each unit and are a constant, daily reminder of their rich Air Force past. 

"Heritage rooms are important to unit morale because they serve as a daily reminder of the unit's exploits," said David Schepp, 28th Bomb Wing historian. "It's easy for Airmen to lose sight of the long historical picture when they are busy every day with their jobs. Pictures, mementos and artifacts in a heritage room serve as a physical symbol of the unit's past." 

Mr. Schepp, who also works at the South Dakota Air and Space Museum, said heritage rooms came from the past when units would adopt a local bar or pub as their own.
"Unit personnel would gather at local bars share a drink and recount the day's events or console each other over the loss of a comrade," said Mr. Schepp. "Beware those who would transgress the unit's adopted home, as the bars would become their territorial possession, complete with mementos of the time past." 

"The heritage room represents the rich history of our great service and allows us the opportunity to see where we were and where we're headed," said Staff Sgt. Eric Utrecht, 28th Bomb Wing Airman Leadership School instructor. "It's great to have a place where today's enlisted members can view historical items from NCOs of yesterday's force."
Sergeant Utrecht has been an instructor here for 23 months and has instructed 353 ALS graduates thus far. 

"Responsibility for the heritage room falls within his purview as our ALS director of student activities," said Senior Master Sgt. Chad Eiring, 28th Bomb Wing ALS flight chief. "We are continually striving to develop and improve the heritage room; Erik was involved in every aspect of getting the room to its current state." 

"By far, my favorite exhibit is the flight route map that was salvaged from the auditorium walls during a recent project," said Sergeant Utrecht. "It's a clear reminder of the very real nuclear deterrent mission that our school supported as an alert facility. 

"The term sergeant is a great honor. It signifies trust, respect, and competence. By charge, an NCO's responsibility is to live up to the phrase: 'People first, mission always,'" said Sergeant Utrecht when asked about the historical significance of a heritage room. "I feel the heritage room adds a very important addition to a school charged with developing our new enlisted leaders." 

Heritage rooms, whether at Ellsworth or at any other base, are constant reminders of the Air Force and units past. "The traditions of the United States Air Force are incredibly important to pass on," Sergeant Utrecht said. "Without them, without that distinct sub-culture, we lose our identity as airmen."