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Official Newsletter of Grumman Memorial Park Vol.1, No. 5, November 1,
2001 Calverton, Long Island, New York |
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Grumman Memorial Park Celebrates First Anniversary |
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October 28, 2001 marks the first full year of operation
of Grumman Memorial Park, and what a year it’s been. Attendance has been
terrific, along with inquires and responses to purchase bricks. However,
on a sad note, we regret to announce the passing of former Grumman
President George M. Skurla in September. Further details are disclosed on
page two. |
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New Directors Elected to the Board |
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On October 19, 2001 the Board of Directors elected
William C Barto, GMP Historian and formerly a member of the Advisory
Board, to the position of Director. Bill will continue to serve as the
Park’s historian. Steve Kirschenbaum, former Chairman of Grumman
Memorial Park, and a member of the Advisory Board, was also elected. |
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The Monument ...
Work on the F-14 monument since the unveiling one year
ago has been accomplished through the efforts of Directors Ken Euring and
John Caruso. In addition to the spotlights that surround the F-14, the
navigational and landing gear lights are now operating via a photoelectric
sensor. As darkness approaches, the sensor will switch the lights on.
Viewing of the lights in daylight, however, can be accomplished using the
control box mounted on the outside of the guard booth. |
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In the event of high winds resulting from severe
storms, tie-down cables are available. They can be attached to the landing
gear of the aircraft and anchored to specially design ports in the base of
the monument. |
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Walk of Honor …
To date approximately 2200 bricks have been purchased.
Our mason is installing them in small groups, which in turn are dispersed
throughout the Walk of Honor.
Twenty-four benches have been purchased and many are
now in place around the Walk of Honor. |
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Retiree Clubs across the country such as the Bethpage, Eastern Long
Island, Upstate New York, Space Coast, Florida Mid-West, Florida Treasure
Coast, Florida South West, Eastern Carolina, and Houston, Texas Chapters. Others represent
families, or individuals such as the George M. Skurla Family, the Chlanda
Family, Nick de Jesu, Edward Hertford, Sid Weihs, Klobukowski Family, Bill
Parente, Frost and Link Families, John H. Wittemann, and the Van de
Wetering Family. Organizations purchasing benches are Riverhead Rotary
Club, Engineering Test Bethpage, T.S. Haulers, Cassone Trailer &
Container, and Big W & Sommer Nursery. |
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photos by WC Barto |
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Artifacts at the Park … |
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Many of the artifacts currently on display include the
guard booth once posted in front of Plant 14 in Bethpage. Now on station
it houses the PC and database that enables guests to locate their brick on
the Walk of Honor. In addition we have the section of concrete runway from
Bethpage, and the former Plant 7 flagpole. Once a sentinel to the old
Calverton flight line, it now displays the flags of the United States, New
York State, Riverhead Township and, of course, the Grumman Corporation
near the F-14 monument. An AIM-54 Phoenix Missile body will soon be
relocated to enable better viewing of the runway section. In addition, a
landing light will be added to the fixture already embedded in the runway.
The parking lot now boasts "GRUMMAN" much the same way as the
old runway did in Bethpage. |
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The Future … |
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What does the future hold for Grumman Memorial Park?
There are many options open.
The possibility of acquiring additional aircraft, or
expanding into several or all of the remaining nine acres of land, or
constructing a permanent visitor center are just some of the topics being
discussed. |
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George M. Skurla
July 2, 1921 – September 2, 2001
President Grumman Aerospace Corporation - 1974
President Grumman Corporation - 1985
Upon graduation from the University of Michigan in
1944, George Martin Skurla began his 42-year career at Grumman as an
apprentice engineer. He worked on many projects including the Aerobilt
trailer bodies, but he will be most remembered for heading up the Florida
operations for the Lunar Module. In 1973, Skurla became general
manager of Calverton operations and revitalized production of the F-14
Tomcat. Elected president of Grumman Aerospace Corporation in 1974, he
held this post until becoming president of the parent organization, the
Grumman Corporation, in 1985. Skurla retired in 1986. |
portrait by Brain Johnson, Technical Illustrator
Grumman Technical Publications Department, 1984 |
