Letter from Executive Director

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Letter from Executive Director Significant changes, substantial challenges and impressive accomplishments describe the World War II History Center Foundation in 2015.

New leadership and a rebuilt Board of Directors carried on the mission of the Foundation.

2 Letter from Executive Director Significant changes, substantial challenges and impressive accomplishments describe the World War II History Center Foundation in As presented in this report, the Foundation bounced back from the unexpected loss of Randy Hammons late in New leadership and a rebuilt Board of Directors carried on the mission of the Foundation. The state of the economy is still a rough environment for the nonprofit community, but the dedication of our members remains a strong pillar of support of our Foundation. The achievements of 2015 were made possible by the leadership Erik Runge and dedication of our former President and Executive Director, Randy Hammons. Throughout the year, the Foundation has looked for ways to expand our impact on the local and national scene. This was accomplished in a membership drive, the re-introduction of our newsletter and by the unending dedication and support of the volunteers in the WWII Reenacting Corps. As we look towards 2016, the Foundation will continue to serve our members and impact the community by emphasizing the importance business benefaction to our Foundation, increasing civic engagement of the Foundation to strengthen community ties and by seeking new, innovative ways to increase public awareness of our organization and mission. I sincerely appreciate the support I ve received this last year, and will continue to rely on it heavily moving forward. Execution of the Foundation s mission is not something that can be accomplished by any one person it takes the support and dedication of those who believe in our mission to Remember a Generation, Honor their Sacrifices and Educate Future Generations about the importance of World War II. I encourage you to hold myself and this Board of Directors accountable, and for you to share your thoughts and suggestions about how we should continue the march forward. Thank you I look forward to continuing to serve the Foundation! Erik Runge President and Executive Director P A G E 1 O F 12

World War II History Center Foundation Mission Statement The mission of the World War II History Center Foundation is to facilitate a museum and resource facility dedicated to the history of the

3 World War II History Center Foundation Mission Statement The mission of the World War II History Center Foundation is to facilitate a museum and resource facility dedicated to the history of the World War II era. The center will strive to educate all generations about the reasons for the war and the profound impact WWII had on the world. Table of Contents Letter from Executive Director... 1 Mission Statement... 2 Table of Contents... 2 History... 3 Statistics and Profiles of Those Served... 4 Statistics and Profiles of Those Serving... 5 WWII Reenacting Corps Highlights... 7 Financial Report Unaudited Financial Report Budget... 9 Board of Directors Roster Acknowledgement of Contributors P A G E 2 O F 12

4 History The World War II History Center Foundation was envisioned by founder Allen Cooley. It was clear that with so many people involved in WWII, there were a vast number of descendants that wanted to learn more about their family's service during the War. There are many museums in this country that touch on some aspect of the War, but there are always visitors to these places that feel left out or forgotten. Allen's intent early on was to create an allinclusive museum and research facility that even covered aspects of the Axis side of the War. In April of 2006, the World War II History Center Foundation was established as a corporate entity in the State of Kansas. By June that same year, the Foundation was recognized as a 501(c)(3) non-profit by the Federal government, allowing the Foundation to raise funds with a tax-exempt status. By mid-2007, the Foundation had found a home for the organization as well as enough space to set up basic museum operations on the 4th floor of the Commerce Bank building in downtown El Dorado, Kansas. This was a big step for the Foundation because it gave the organization a physical location that members, volunteers, and potential funders to visit and learn more about the World War II History Center and its capabilities. At the end of 2007, the Foundation worked out a deal with the owner of another building in downtown El Dorado that had been vacant for almost two years. The building needed a lot of work, and needed to be brought up to code before it could be used, but the owner allowed the Foundation to lease the building rent-free for 18 months while renovation work was completed. The World War II History Center officially opened in its new location at 119 W. Central on September 27th, The Center began keeping regular operating hours in November In September, 2010, the Foundation was purchased the building it had been leasing for the previous two years. The purchase was made possible by funds raised by the Foundation as well as two large grants from the Stone Family Foundation and the K.T. Wiedemann Foundation, Inc. In January 2016 the mortgage on the building was paid off. This achievement of this goal was the largest accomplishment to date by the World War II History Center Foundation and it secured a home for the foreseeable future which allowed the Center to focus on developing and improving the museum and its research services. P A G E 3 O F 12

Statistics and Profiles of Those Served The World War II History Center Foundation supports the public in a number of different ways. The Foundation s vision is to Remember, Honor and Educate.

the military or veterans. In 2015, we hosted more than 189 people in our Center, of which, almost half were new visitors.

5 Statistics and Profiles of Those Served The World War II History Center Foundation supports the public in a number of different ways. The Foundation s vision is to Remember, Honor and Educate. We accomplish this by: Holding regular operating hours (Saturdays ) of the WWII History Center; Performing Research Requests; and Participating in local and regional events relating to WWII, the military or veterans. In 2015, we hosted more than 189 people in our Center, of which, almost half were new visitors. New visitors found us by visiting our website, from newspaper articles, by word of mouth, from our brochures, by driving by and by group visits to Number of Visitors 189 New Visitors 78 Visitors per Day 6.1 National Visitors 11 States Kansas Visitors 12 Counties the Center. We receive research requests from all across the world. People constantly want to know about people, ships or units that we have information about in our Research Library. Our WWII Reenacting Corps is contacted by people not only in the region, but throughout the country requesting attendance of uniformed reenactors. WWII Veteran Meet & Greet P A G E 4 O F 12

Statistics and Profiles of Those Serving The World War II History Center Foundation cannot support the public without the unceasing support and dedication of our volunteers.

6 Statistics and Profiles of Those Serving The World War II History Center Foundation cannot support the public without the unceasing support and dedication of our volunteers. Currently, the Foundation is entirely volunteer run we don t have a single paid employee, so volunteer support is critical for the Foundation to accomplish its mission. Our volunteers run the museum, complete research requests, represent the Foundation at Foundation events as well as local and regional events and participate in the WWII Reenacting Corps an official division of the WWII History Center Foundation. Volunteers give not only of their time, but also their talents and their treasure to support the Foundation because they believe in our organization and the work we do. This volunteer dedication cannot receive enough recognition and thanks. As our Foundation grows, we will undoubtedly gain a paid staff, but the Number of Volunteers 23 Volunteer Hours contributions of our volunteer base will continue to be an integral part of our operations. Members of the WWII Reenacting Corps welcome home veterans on Kansas Honor Flight #29 P A G E 5 O F 12

7 WWII Reenacting Corps By and far, the most active and dedicated volunteer members of the Foundation are those that serve in the WWII Reenacting Corps. The Corps began in 2009 as a handful of volunteers wanting to bring a living face to the mission and vision of the Museum by reenacting soldiers of WWII. The Corps was incorporated as an official division of the Foundation in 2012 with two units the American 82 nd Infantry Division 505 th Parachute Infantry and the German 916.Grenadier-Regiment 352.Infanterie-Division. These two units, composed of volunteers that are also members of the Foundation, are dedicated to carry out the Vision of the Foundation to Remember, Honor and Educate. This mission is accomplished by our reenactors by being well-informed on their unit and the Second World War, by ensuring their impression accurately and faithfully represents a soldier from their unit and by being able to educate the public about some aspect of WWII. 505 th Parachute Infantry 82 nd Airborne Division Reenactors 916.Grenadier-Regiment 352.Infanterie-Division Reenactors P A G E 6 O F 12

2015 Highlights The Foundation hosted and participated in a number of events in 2015, to include: Annual Meeting - El Dorado, KS WWII Reenacting Corps Training January close order drill The WWII

Kansas Parade - Pratt, KS The WWII Reenacting Corps represented the History Center in the parade in June.

Independence Day Parade Park City, KS The 82 nd Airborne Division marched in the parade and set up a display for this event in July.

8 2015 Highlights The Foundation hosted and participated in a number of events in 2015, to include: Annual Meeting - El Dorado, KS WWII Reenacting Corps Training January close order drill The WWII History Center held its Annual Meeting and held board elections in March. Chisholm Trail Antique Gun Show Wichita, KS The WWII History Center set up its biannual display at the gun show in March. Ms. Kansas Parade - Pratt, KS The WWII Reenacting Corps represented the History Center in the parade in June. Heartland Military Days Forbes Field, Topeka, KS The Center was on display by the 82 nd Airborne Division for this military show in June. Independence Day Parade Park City, KS The 82 nd Airborne Division marched in the parade and set up a display for this event in July. Return of Kansas Honor Flight #29 Wichita, KS The WWII Reenacting Corps was on-hand in September, welcoming the vets home. Pratt Airport Fly-In Pratt, KS The Center and the units of the WWII Reenacting Corps set up a large display at historic Pratt Airfield in June. POW Camp Museum Building Opening Concordia, KS By request of the Concordia POW Camp. the Reenacting Corps represented the History Center at the opening of a building at this event in July. P A G E 7 O F 12

9 Chisholm Trail Antique Gun Show Wichita, KS WWII History Center display in October. Alpha 1 Drop Zone Event Wichita, KS The WWII Reenacting Corps answered the call to be a part of an event honoring Veterans in October. Ft. Riley Apple Day Ft. Riley, KS The 82 nd AB set up the GP small set up and had a jeep on hand for the fall celebration in September at Ft. Riley. New Exhibit WWII History Center New Pearl Harbor Exhibit in December. Fall Festival El Dorado, KS Board members and the Reenacting Corps held an Open House as El Dorado celebrated its Fall Festival in September Open House and Public Battle El Dorado, KS Hundreds turned out to visit the Foundation s Open House and Reenacting Corps public battle reenactment Outskirts of Isigny in November. P A G E 8 O F 12

10 Financial Report 2015 Unaudited Financial Report Financial support in the form of private gifts REVENUE dominated the revenue we made last year. Private Gifts $8, % As important as this source of revenue is, it is a fairly uncertain source; we understand that Programs $ % income from our own initiatives (programs, membership, sales and fundraising) needs to grow in the future. Also, we realize that we will need to take advantage of private and federal grants in the future, which can be a Membership Sales Fundraising Total $ $ $ $9, % 6.0% 6.6% 100.0% sizable and stable source of income for our foundation. EXPENSES Programs $ % General & Administration $6, % Building Loan $3, % Total $9, % Operation costs (General & Administration) ruled our expenses throughout the year. This is the primary expense that needs to be considered. Program spending was very low and obviously needs to increase in the future. However, even with as little as was spent on programs, we were able to put on several high quality exhibits and public displays. Just imagine what we could do with a larger program budget! Finally, the rest of expenses this year went to paying of the loan we took out on our building, which we now own! 2016 Budget Based on last year s averaged costs, the following budget has been developed for The monthly budget value is just over 17% less than was budgeted for in 2015, and includes line items for saving for future unanticipated costs, which were not considered last year. BUDGET $ Phone and Internet $ Gas $ Water $ Electric $ Security System $ Insurance $ Operations savings (10%) $ Monthly Saving (10%) $ Monthly Budget $ 9, Yearly Budget P A G E 9 O F 12

11 Board of Directors Roster Board Seat 1 Up for election in 2016 Board Seat 2 Up for election in 2016 Board Seat 3 Up for election in 2016 Board Seat 4 Up for election in 2017 Board Seat 5 Up for election in 2017 Board Seat 6 Up for election in 2017 Michael Kepley - Wichita, KS Served: 2014 to Present Subcommittee: WWII Reenacting Corps, Fundraising Currently employed as a police officer in Wichita. Neil Suter (Interim Secretary) - Wichita, KS Served: 2014 to Present Subcommittee: WWII Reenacting Corps, Fundraising Elaine Hammons (Secretary) - Wichita, KS Served: 2007 to Present Subcommittee: None Wichita, Kansas Currently employed by the City of Wichita, Kansas. David Cupp - Wichita, KS Served: 2006 to 2007 and 2014 to Present Subcommittee: Operations Erik Runge(President, Executive Director, Interim Treasurer) - Wichita, KS Served: 2010 to Present Subcommittee: WWII Reenacting Corps Currently employed as an aerospace engineer at B/E Aerospace. Vacant Board Seat 7 Up for election in 2018 Board Seat 8 Up for election in 2018 Board Seat 9 Up for election in 2018 Bill Murphy - Madison, WI Served: 2014 to Present Subcommittee: Public Relations Currently employed with the State of Wisconsin. Doug Odom (Chairman) - El Dorado, KS Served: 2007 to Present Subcommittee: Operations Currently employed with Circle High School as a History teacher. Loren Anthony - El Dorado, KS Served: 2009 to Present Subcommittee: Operations Former Marine, retired construction foreman, and volunteers with the VA hospital in Wichita and with the El Dorado Elks. P A G E 10 O F 12

12 Acknowledgement of Contributors You are responsible for the amazing things that are happening at the WWII History Center. We will forever be grateful for your support Donors +$5,000 Stone Family Foundation $1,000 - $4,999 None $500 - $999 James E and Jamie I Webb $250-$499 Elaine Hammons Family / Erik Runge $100 - $249 David Cupp / Nutrition Services Wichita Public Schools / Patricia R Eaves <$100 Thomas Laham / Helen N Thomas / Howard Redburn / Robert E and Janett Doile / Roy Leon and Jodie L Leachman / Larry R and Vicki L Patton / Robert J and Nancy K King / Rob Wassinger / Ted Dankert / Steve and Jerri Adams / Steven Slipsager / Douglas A and Virginia K Miller / James M and Belinda Rehmer / Kenney Trust Agreement / Pratt Regional Medical Center / Robert D and Sammy M Ely P A G E 11 O F 12

13 So what can you do to help? VOLUNTEER! Give of your time to remember those who gave their all. Volunteers are our core. Consider volunteering a weekend a month to help run the museum during operating hours. Come in and help us complete Research Requests. Get on our volunteer call list for projects. Or, join a unit of the Reenacting Corps! ADVANCE! TAKE ACTION! Share your talents to honor those who served their country. Be creative and help us create new exhibits. Know how to get our message out to more people increase public awareness? Can you come up with educational programs? Know how to create an eye-catching display? Share your talents with us! BUY WAR BONDS! DONATE! Donate to help us educate future generations about WWII. Set up an automatic donation of a couple of bucks a month. Consider buying us an item from our wish list. Set up your Dillons and Amazon accounts so every purchase you make earns us money. Consider planned giving to honor your loved one s legacy. Photo Credits: Cover Page: (Clockwise from Top): Erik Runge / Javier Guete / Brendon Cordero / Javier Guete / Brendon Cordero Page 3: Erik Runge Page 4: Alpha 1 Drop Zone Page 5: Ron Purdie (Kansas Honor Flight) Page 6: (Top to Bottom): Brendon Corderro / Javier Guete Page 7: (Top to Bottom): Brendon Corderro / Erik Runge / Ron Purdie (Kansas Honor Flight) Page 8: (Clockwise from Top): Brendon Corderro / Erik Runge / unknown / Brendon Corderro / Erik Runge P A G E 12 O F 12

Fort Worth Alliance Air Show Adds Jet Team and Additional Performers Show Will Take Place As Scheduled October 19th & 20th

Fort Worth Alliance Air Show Adds Jet Team and Additional Performers Show Will Take Place As Scheduled October 19th & 20th FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 4, 2013 *NEWS RELEASE* NEWS RELEASE * NEWS RELEASE * For more information contact: Matt Giljahn, Herb Gillen Agency, 614-488-2828, matt@herbgillen.com Fort Worth Alliance Air