TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Colonel Stephanie Wilson recently cut the ribbon on the new Heritage Room at the Tinker Club, which honors Tinker Air Force Base’s past with historic photos lining the walls.
The self-help project was a collaboration between the 72nd Mission Support Group’s Force Support Squadron, 507th Civil Engineer Squadron, 72nd Air Base Wing Civil Engineering Directorate and the Tinker Heritage Foundation.
“Everyone involved did such a fantastic job,” said Wilson, commander of the 72nd Air Base Wing. “I really want to thank the Tinker Heritage Foundation for the selection of artwork that’s in the room. It wouldn’t be a Heritage Room had you not donated that and gave of your time and expertise in that regard.”
The commander coined Marti Ribeiro, logistics management specialist with the Air Force Sustainment Center and secretary of the Tinker Heritage Foundation, for taking a lead on the project. The nonprofit group donated close to $4,000 to frame and label about two dozen large-format photos. Images such as spiffily dressed diners at the Tinker Officers Club in 1945 are aimed at “capturing the ‘people feel’ at Tinker,” Ribeiro said.
Col. Michael Green, 72nd MSG commander, said the room is a “testament to the great relationship Team Tinker enjoys with our community partners and to the history of Tinker Air Force Base. We are indebted to the Tinker Heritage Foundation for turning this room into a lasting legacy for future generations.”