Dave Grumman Visits Grumman Memorial Park

photo via William Barto

Dave Grumman and William Barto

On October 22, 2004, David L. Grumman, son of Mr. Grumman, stopped by Grumman Memorial Park to check on our progress. Dave was in town for the annual Air & Space Gals held at the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City on the evening of October 21.

Accompanied Dave was our own historian, and director, Bill Barto. Dave was quite impressed with the progress we have made since his last visit a few years ago. The expansion to include three more acres of cleared land, the acquisition of an
A-6E Intruder (currently enroute to Calverton), the small pre-fab building from the Town of Riverhead, the latest exhibit of an AIM-54 Phoenix missile, and the tribute to his dad, pictured at left.

Dave spent a few hours with Bill and Chairman Joe Van de Wetering discussing the future plans of Grumman Memorial Park. All in all, despite the heavily overcastted day, with a few sprinkles, Dave enjoyed his visit and is looking forward to returning, perhaps next year, to see our Intruder in place and other exhibits currently being worked on.

Dave Grumman Visits Grumman Memorial Park

photo by Pat Van de Wetering

Ken Euring, John Caruso, Dave Grumman, Bill Barto, Joe Van de Wetering

On Friday, March 1, 2002, Dave Grumman, son of company founder Leroy R. Grumman, paid a short visit to Grumman Memorial Park. On hand to receive Dave was Chairman Joe Van de Wetering, his wife Pat, Directors John Caruso and Ken Euring, and Historian Bill Barto.

Dave was in town to attend a gala event sponsored by the Long Island Technology Hall of Fame at the Garden City Hotel the night before. It was at this event that his dad was inducted into the Hall of Fame. Dave received the honor on behalf of his father and the Grumman family.

Dave was very pleased to see the progress made at the Park since his first visit on the day of the unveiling. He was amazed at the increased number of bricks installed in the Walk of Honor and very pleased to see "GRUMMAN" painted on the parking lot. He said it reminded him of the days when it appeared on the runway at Bethpage, and that was the intent. We also updated Dave on progress for the design of a bronze plaque that will honor his father and be installed at the site.

After a walk-through of future plans for the Park, Dave departed for Bethpage with Directors Bill Barto and John Caruso for a tour of the F8F Bearcat restoration in Plant 1 and the History Center. Many thanks to our friends at Northrop Grumman for our visit.

We are looking forward to Dave’s next visit.

October 22, 2001

Grumman Memorial Park Elects New Directors

On October 19, 2001 the Board of Directors elected William C Barto, formerly a member of the Advisory Board, and GMP Historian, to a 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.


photo by WC Barto

Grumman Memorial Park
at night …

 Further work on the monument since the unveiling one year ago has been accomplished through the efforts of Directors Ken Euring and John Caruso. In addition to the six spotlights that surround the F-14, the taxi and navigational lights are now operating. As darkness approaches, photoelectric 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.

In the event of high winds resulting from severe storms, tie-down cables are now available. One end of the cable can be attached to the landing gear of the aircraft and the other will be anchored to specially design ports throughout the base of the monument.

Another addition…

The "GRUMMAN" name now appears on the parking lot much the way it did on the old Bethpage runway. Of course, it can be most appreciated when seen from the air, but this will delight many Grummanites.


photo by WC Barto

 

April 9, 2001

Grumman Memorial Park Now Open Daily From 9AM – 5PM

After a long, cold, windy and snowy winter, the Board of Directors are happy to announce that Grumman Memorial Park is now open daily from 9AM to 5 PM. Hopefully, the snowstorm season is behind us and Spring is right around the corner.

Snow-Covered

Grumman Memorial Park …

This photograph was taken on New Years Day, 2001, after a significant snowfall fell on the East End of Long Island. Concerned with the safety for our visitors, the Board of Directors elected to close the Park due to the severe weather. With a limited source of manpower and equipment for maintaining the park during the winter, snow and ice removal would have posed a challenge. We would not want an unfortunate situation to occur at the site.

High winter winds also forced us to remove the flags from the Plant 7 flagpole. Wear and tear to these flags, especially to the one of a kind GRUMMAN flag, must be kept to a minimum. Unfortunately, the New York State Flag was completely destroyed, but will be replaced in the spring. A new, more durable US Flag has been purchased that will enable us to fly it even in the most extreme weather conditions.

With Spring arriving, members of East End Aircraft will soon be embarking on preparation of Grumman Memorial Park for another season of guests. After a careful inspection of the site to determine what repairs (if any) are necessary, a second order of bricks will be installed into the Walk of Honor along with redisplaying our flags.

We look forward to seeing you once again at Grumman Memorial Park.

 

November 1, 2000

Grumman Memorial Park Became a Reality on October 28, 2000

High winds and low temperatures were not enough to thwart the crowds from coming out and attending the Unveiling and Dedication Ceremony. Well over two thousand people attended to see and hear the various remarks made by our guest speakers, and partake in the celebration of this magnificent achievement.

At precisely 11:00 AM, Co-Chair and Treasurer Joseph Van de Wetering kicked off the program by having the Junior Naval ROTC from nearby William Floyd High School present the Colors. While the National Anthem was played, Director Ken Euring raised the flag of the United States to the top of the relocated Plant 7 flagpole, and then reverently lowered it to half-mast to honor of the brave crew of USS Cole. At the conclusion of the National Anthem two Tomcats of VF-101, the same squadron as our F-14, flew over the monument with tailhooks down in tribute, while the music from the movie "Top Gun" was played over the loudspeakers

Plant 7 flagpole with US, Riverhead & Grumman Flags

VF-101 Grim Reapers Fly Over in Tribute to Grumman

After the F-14s completed two passes over the site, Joe returned to the podium to introduce the members of the Board of Directors, Secretary, and Historian for East End Aircraft LI Corp. Following these introductions, Joe summoned the first of our guest speakers to say a few words. First up was David L. Grumman, son of the company’s founder. Dave spoke of what it was like growing up with his dad and related how Mr. Grumman held his employees with such high esteem. Next to speak was Mike Pelehach, F-14 Design Team Project Director, whose comments centered on the Tomcat’s original design criteria.

David L. Grumman

F-14 / Monument and Walk of Honor

George Skurla’s remarks centered on the difficulties experienced during 1973 in meeting a demanding delivery schedule that eventually set the tone for future deliveries. The "Battle of Calverton", as he put it was won by all employees working together to meet a deadline. Tom Gwynne, Grumman Test Pilot and First Flight Pilot of aircraft #331, told us about the pride he had in seeing this aircraft as the centerpiece of a tribute to the Grumman legacy, and reminded us all how Long Island is so deeply rooted in the development of aviation.

Retired Navy Commander Jim Roth, NAVPRO at Calverton, delivered a very moving speech weaving Navy jargon throughout his narrative to relate the closeness of Grumman and the United States Navy. Well done, Jim!

Richard C. Dunne, Director of Public Affairs for Northrop Grumman in Bethpage, spoke of the accomplishment of Grumman retirees, and friends of Grumman, who worked so hard together to first acquire a site, arrange for the delivery of an F-14, and finally put it all together. Dick wished us all the best in our plans for the future.

Senator Kenneth LaValle, First District, was unable to attend but his representative delivered his remarks, and presented Grumman Memorial Park with a New York State flag. Thank you Senator LaValle.

Rounding out the guest speakers was Riverhead Town Supervisor Robert Kozakiewicz who related what the impact of Grumman was on the township and his seeing Grumman aircraft from Calverton flying over his home as a boy. As a special tribute, Supervisor Kozakiewicz presented a Proclamation, and Key to the Town, to the F-14 aircrew who performed the fly-by. In part, the Proclamation named each one for participating in "Grumman Iron Works Day".

 

VF-101 Aircrew who performed the fly-by.

Joe Van de Wetering returned once more to the podium and asked that each director unveil the four plaques affixed to the pedestal with the F-14. The first was the dedication plaque containing a sentiment about Grumman and listing the names of the Board of Directors. The second plaque recognized the Town of Riverhead. A plaque honoring the Aircraft Restoration Team lead by Director Ken Euring followed, and the last plaque unveiled lists the many people who contributed their skills, talents and service to completing this project.

Dedication Plaque

  

Bringing an end to the day’s activities, Steve Kirschenbaum presented closing remarks. As past Chairman of the Board, and more recently Site Manager, Steve received much in the way of recognition from every guest speaker. Though this essentially was Steve’s idea, we all worked with him to make Grumman Memorial Park what it is today; a tribute to the legacy of the Grumman Corporation.

 

October 1, 2000

Grumman Memorial Park Announces Unveiling Ceremony for October 28, 2000

The Unveiling and Dedication Ceremony for Grumman Memorial Park, located at Route 25/Route 25A, Calverton, New York, has been scheduled for 11:00 AM, Saturday October 28, 2000, with a rain date of Sunday, October 29, 2000. Any changes to this announcement will be posted on this web site.

Completion of Grumman Memorial park is well underway. Starting clockwise is the installation of the parking lot surrounded by the curbs and sidewalk. The next photo shows the connecting sidewalk from the parking lot to the Walk of Honor. Note the concrete pad for the guard shack, and the anchors for the Plant 7 flag pole. At right the concrete base has poured beneath the aircraft. The bricks that will make up the Walk of Honor will be laid between the curb and the sidewalk that surrounds the aircraft.

Shown at left is the final configuration of Grumman Memorial Park. A few last minute changes have been the relocation of the guard booth from the gate entrance to the Walk of Honor. This will facilitate visitors in locating their brick. Also, the Plant 7 flagpole will be installed to the front and center of the site. This will ensure that Ol’ Glory will appear in every photo opportunity.

Text and photos by WC Barto

September 1, 2000

Tomcat Mated to Pedestal

F-14 BuNo. 160902 was placed into position atop its pedestal on Thursday, August 24th.

Prior to this, the F-14 was power-washed and shrink-wrapped. The shrink-wrapping is to protect the aircraft and give a sense of anticipation leading up to the unveiling ceremony. Just before the actual ceremony, the shrink-wrap will be removed and replaced with a camouflage net from the local Army National Guard unit in Riverhead.

About mid-morning our Tomcat began its journey from the hangar where it’s been kept, across the runway to the North Gate and onto Route 25. From there the procession made it way to the site where the crane and riggers lifted it off the roadway and placed it temporarily on the site itself. A few moments later it was raised up approximately three feet to enable Director Ken Euring and his volunteers clearance for attaching the specially designed mounting brackets and re-install the external fuel tanks.

Once everything was in place, aircraft #331 began its final flight up to rest forever atop the pedestal overlooking Route 25. Hoisting this aircraft was accomplished with the aid of Mr. Bill Mallins and his experienced crew. After carefully lining up the aircraft with its mounts to the mating plates already in the pedestal, welding the assembly commenced.

With the aircraft in place, completing Grumman Memorial Park is now in full swing. Water and electric facilities will be connected shortly. Landscaping and concrete work will be followed by construction of the parking lot, erecting light fixtures, positioning the old Plant 7 flag pole, obtaining a genuine Grumman guard booth, and installation of the bricks that will make up the Walk of Honor.

Photos by WC Barto

June 30, 2000

Site Ready for Completion of Phase One

The trailer that will serve as our temporary on-site office and Visitors Center has been relocated along the rear edge of the property. Electrical power and telephone lines will soon be installed enabling our staff to maintain an on-site presence. Preparations are underway to mount the F-14 on to the pedestal. Once secured, the final phase of completing Grumman Memorial Park will commence.

While no firm date has been set, plans for the unveiling ceremony are presently being formulated. But as close as we are to obtaining our goal, we are approximately $40,000.00 shy of meeting our cost estimate to complete this project. Any further purchases of bricks, park benches or any donations over the next several weeks will certainly be of tremendous help.

From all of us at Grumman Memorial Park, we thank you for all of your support, encouragement and patience.

 

 

 

 

 

May 15, 2000

Tomcat Restoration Nears Completion

Grumman Memorial Park's F-14 is nearing completion of it's restoration program and long-term display conditioning. Directors Ken Euring and John Caruso have been tirelessly working on installing the missile launchers, and "bird-proofing" such areas as the intakes, exhaust nozzles, air vents and landing gear wells.

 

WCB photo

"Bird-proofing" involves fabricating covers to place in the intakes and exhaust nozzles to prevent the building of nests. In addition, fine wire screen has been installed with the various vent openings to prevent the building of any other nests. None of these preventive measures, however, effects the integrity of the airframe itself.

With the addition of Phoenix, Sparrow and Sidewinder inert missiles, our Tomcat will be ready for installation on the pedestal, hopefully, within the next several months.

WCB photo

  

   

WCB photo

April 20, 2000

Pedestal nears completion.

The pedestal that will support our F-14 Tomcat is nearly finished. Director Jim Petrocelli and his crew have done an outstanding bit of workmanship. The taller of the three pylons will support the nose landing gear giving the aircraft a slightly high angle-of-attack, while the lower pylons support the main landing gear. We hope to secure the use of an actual hoisting sling that is used to place F-14s on to aircraft carriers when in port. The process of hoisting the aircraft to the top of the will take place in the month of June. Once in place, the aircraft will be covered while work continues on the Walk of Honor, landscaping, driveway and parking lot.

Our F-14 is nearing the completion of its restoration and configuration. Directors Ken Euring and John Caruso, along with many volunteers, have spent numerous long hours preparing our Tomcat for long-term display. This includes installing an external fuel tank under each engine nacelle, two Phoenix missile launchers on stations 2 and 3 (under the cockpit), and glove pylons on stations 1 and 8. Our aircraft will depict a typical Tomcat would appear aboard an aircraft carrier, and inert Phoenix, Sparrow and Sidewinder missiles will soon be added to our display.

Plans for the unveiling ceremony continue, and while no firm date has been set, the event could take place before Labor Day. We are, however, $50,000.00 shy of meeting our cost estimate to complete this project. Any further donations, or purchases of additional bricks or park benches, over the next several weeks will certainly help us tremendously.

Again, thank you for all of your support, encouragement and patience.

April 15, 2000

Concrete has been poured in all three pedestal forms that will eventually support the F-14 in place on our site. A total of ten marble benches have been purchased, primarily by retiree chapters across the country.  Inscriptions submitted for the first eleven hundred and fifty marble bricks are being reviewed subsequent to their manufacture and landscaping plans for the park are in the process of being designed.

March 1, 2000

Grumman Memorial Park makes significant progress.

At last we see the light at the end of the tunnel! Since groundbreaking on November 29, 1999, our one-acre site has been cleared of trees and graded with 10,000 yards of soil in order to raise and level the ground. Stakes have driven into the ground to mark off the concrete work (pedestal, walk of honor, driveway, parking lot, etc.). With the warmer weather of March upon us, we should be able to resume pouring the foundation for the pedestal.

Our F-14 is nearing its preparation for installation on the pedestal, and newly acquired (inert) Phoenix, Sparrow, Sidewinder missiles will be added to the aircraft. The addition of two 267 gal. External Fuel Tanks will complete the outfitting of our Tomcat to represent a typically configured F-14 in the Fleet.

Fundraising continues on schedule thus enabling us to meet our financial obligations. The unveiling ceremony is currently being planned, although no specific date has been set. Hopefully, an event may be planned to occur before the Fourth of July.

Thanks for your encouragement and patience.

January 21, 2000

Grumman park continues on it's path to success.

Monday, November 29th our board of directors, advisory board, Local politicians and others were on site for the official groundbreaking of the phase one memorial park. Chairman Steve Kirschenbaum gave a heartfelt speech and introduced the dignitaries and officials. On site was Bruce Kloette of Civil Air Patrol donned in an authentic Apollo space suit to take the symbolic first shovel of dirt at the future home of Grumman Memorial Park.

Phase one which is already under construction is a one acre site directly abutting our 9 acre expansion area, next to the former Grumman flight test facilities 10,000 ft runway. The initial one acre site will feature the F-14 Tomcat we recently acquired from the Navy on a pedestal, surrounded by the Grumman Walk of Honor in a landscaped setting with a parking area and a brick look up data base. GMP director Jim Petrocelli partner in a major LI construction firm has taken on the task of overseeing construction on site.

Presently our property is cleared, graded and our forms are ready to pour concrete once the weather breaks. Our temporary office trailer is on site as well as our separate entrance to the site and our new perimeter security fence. The money keeps coming in and we thank all of you for your most generous donations. Treasurer and ex Deputy VP of engineering for Grumman's aerospace division Joe Van de Wetering is diligently reviewing all inscriptions for all bricks on site as well as designing a landscape plan for the park. Joe is working hand and hand with former F-14 engineer Chris Dittmeier to design the database for brick look up at the Calverton site.

Directors Ken Euring and John Caruso are spending numerous long hours preparing the F-14 for long term out door display. This included fitting all weapon stations, external fuel tanks and fixing all moveable surfaces.

We still need volunteers to help us fabricate the sidewinders, AIM 54s and Sparrows. for those of you interested this could be an at home project.

Call us for details at 631 369-9488. The date is not yet firm but we are hoping for a Memorial Day 2000 unveiling of phase one. Keep up the good work and get the word out we need help and support both financial and physical.

Thanks for everything,
Steve Kirschenbaum

July 18, 1999

PRESS RELEASE

For: East End Aircraft Long Island Corporation, PO Box 147, Calverton, NY 11933.
Contact: Steve Kirschenbaum (888) 447-8662 or grummanpk@aol.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SITE PLAN APPROVAL FOR A MONUMENT TO HISTORY
GRUMMAN MEMORIAL PARK READY FOR CONSTRUCTION ON THE
30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST MANNED MOON LANDING

Calverton, NY, July 18, 1999 - Steve Kirschenbaum, Chairman of East End Aircraft Long lsland Corporation, is pleased to announce that site plan approval will be granted by the Town of Riverhead at the July 20th Town board meeting. This approval is for phase one completion of the Grumman Memorial Park and Aerospace Museum. The park and museum will be located at Grumman’s former Flight Test Facility at Calverton, New York, permanently paying tribute to the Long Islanders who took aviation from the flight deck of a Navy carrier to man’s first steps on the Moon.

This approval becomes effective on July 20, 1999, the 30th anniversary of man’s first landing on the Moon in the Grumman-built Lunar Module "Eagle," clearing the way for land development and construction of a memorial dedicated to the thousands of aerospace workers employed by Grumman. The monument will consist of a Long Island-built F-14 Tomcat mounted on a specially designed pedestal, surrounded by a Walk of Honor composed of bricks individually engraved with the names of former employees and other supporters who have donated to the project.

Several past employees of Grumman directly involved with the Lunar Module project will be in attendance at the July 20 meeting, as well as Mr. Kirschenbaum and the Directors. Please join them in paying tribute to the former workers of Grumman on this special day by attending the town board meeting on Tuesday, July 20th, 7 p.m., at St. John the Baptist Church, North Country Road, Wading River, New York.

Ground breaking should be sometime in early August 1999, with an anticipated unveiling of the monument not far behind.

East End Aircraft Long Island Corporation is a not-for-profit, 501C3 qualified organization composed of civic leaders and Grumman retirees whose responsibilities include planning, maintenance, and operation of Grumman Memorial Park and Aerospace Museum. For more information about Grumman Memorial Park and Aerospace Museum, visit the website at www.grummanpark.org or call (888) 4GRUMMAN.

June 9, 1999

Grumman Memorial Park News

The Grumman Memorial Park Directors have been making major progress. If all goes well groundbreaking should be mid-July or as soon as our submitted site plans are approved. We will post the exact date on the site as soon as it is confirmed. Unveiling plans for the monument are not too far behind, with a target month of October coinciding with the weekend of the Country Fair in Riverhead.

The decision has been made to go with a "T" shaped stand with three pylons in the ground. The aircraft will be sitting on its own landing gear. This is instead of the previously planned "stick." A drawing of the stand will be posted at a future date. This design will not necessitate any modifications to the aircraft, making our job easier and more cost effective while maintaining the look of a plane on active duty in the fleet, rather than a plane on a stick.

Our finances are looking good. As of the last meeting of the directors, the bank balance was well over $100,000. Thanks to all of you who are helping make this happen!

We have been in the press a lot lately. You will be able to catch articles on the park in upcoming issues of the Naval Publication "Tailhook", as well as in the local paper "Suffolk Life." As these articles run, we will post them, along with future updates on the site.

THE GRUMMAN MEMORIAL PARK NEEDS YOUR HELP!

If you would like to volunteer to help us sell Walk of Honor bricks to raise money E-mail us and we will mail you brochures. Also if you have any ideas as to where we might be able to obtain inert ordinance for the aircraft please E-mail us. All leads or ideas are greatly appreciated!

October 19,1998 - Press Release

F-14A TOMCAT FIGHTER GOING HOME TO CALVERTON

Calverton NY – Steve Kirschenbaum, chairperson of East End Aircraft LI Corporation has announced that the U.S. Navy-supplied F-14A Tomcat Fighter will move to its permanent site at the new Grumman Memorial Park in Calverton on Sunday, October 25, 1998.

The Town of Riverhead recently adopted a resolution allocating a ten-acre parcel on the former Grumman facility in Calverton to the group as the home for Grumman Memorial Park. The Tomcat was one of over 700 built at the facility between 1971 and 1992, and was provided to the Town by the U.S. Navy in January of this year.

According to Kirschenbaum, "Grumman Memorial Park is dedicated the thousands of Long Islanders who were part of our amazing aviation heritage. From early fighter planes to the LEM and putting man on the moon, Long Island has made an indelible mark on our country’s aviation history. The people who were the heart of a company called Grumman should not be forgotten." Plans for the site include the Tomcat in a permanent, outdoor display, surrounded by a brick "Grumman Walk Of Honor" featuring bricks engraved with the names of former Grumman employees and supporters. Future plans include construction of an aviation museum and history center.

The F-14A has been housed at Gabreski Airport in Westhampton since January. It will be towed 16 miles over road by U.S. Army National Guard personnel with Town of Riverhead, NY State and Suffolk County police as escort. The plane will leave Gabreski at approximately 6:00 a.m. on Sunday, October 25th. The route will take the fighter north from the airport to Route 105, then west on Route 58 to the Calverton site, with an estimated arrival time of 9 a.m.

Riverhead High School’s NJROTC unit and members of the Long Island Civil Air Patrol will assist the caravan in removing any obstructions along the route.

"We wish we could have made the transport into a celebration parade," said Kirschenbaum. "But given the size of the plane itself we’ll be blocking off the entire roadway as we travel, and we can only go about 5 miles per hour. We just can’t tie up these major thoroughfares during daytime hours, so we’re leaving before dawn to avoid major traffic problems along the route."

For those who wish to view the move, there are several excellent vantage points along Route 58 in Riverhead at the major shopping centers. Kirschenbaum suggests arriving early to avoid traffic. The aircraft is expect to move east along Route 58 between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.

Grumman Memorial Park is a project of East End Aircraft LI Corporation, a 501C3 not-for-profit organization. For further information on how to donate or volunteer, call 516-369-9488, write to East End Airport LI Corp., PO Box 147, Calverton NY 11933 or visit the group’s web site at www.grummanpark.org.

Previous Developments

East End Aircraft has recently acquired grants toward construction/beautification of Grumman Memorial Park from the following groups:

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