Visit Walnut Ridge Army Flying School (World War II) & Dine in the Parachute Inn
Visit Walnut Ridge Army Flying School (World War II) & Dine in the Parachute Inn
Did you know any of this amazing history about Walnut Ridge? The USA built the Walnut Ridge AAF Basic Flying School in 1942 and it was used to train pilots for World War II until 1944 when it became Marine Corps Air Facility from 1944-1945. It was a Temporary P.O.W. camp in 1945. Who knew that? Not me. And during the Cold War, the USAF 725th AC&W Squadron was located there from 1956-1963.
I took the required history in school and know general history of Arkansas and the United States, etc. I knew my dad was in the army before I was born, but I found out only recently that my father, the late Doss Lee Burgess, operated a tank destroyer! I am so proud to know my father did his part in protecting and serving.
Last week on a retiree-traveling trip, my cohort and I cut across and stopped at the Wings of Honor Museum in Walnut Ridge, and ate at the Parachute Inn. I have seen their ad in the North Central Arkansas Ozark Gateway Tour Guide and wanted to see it for a while, so this was a special trip for me!
Because I had no idea about Arkansas operations in the wars, the whole museum was a fabulous journey on which we embarked with reverence for all the men and women who served, and still serve, the United States of America. As I walked from room to room, gazing at the Army, Marine and Air Force statuettes, displays of guns, maps, historical data displayed everywhere, I realized what a chunk of history is there for the taking, to be enjoyed, on a personal basis, minute by minute, and appreciated. I know I felt some goose bumps reading some of the articles decorating uniforms and in displays.
The WRAFS Museum was established in 1999. Thousands of Air Field and WWII artifacts, including personal and field equipment, uniforms, photographs, books and aircraft components are displayed. A new 11,200 square foot facility opened in 2006, containing many new exhibits, a Link Trainer, two Fire Trucks, Jeep, BT-13 Cockpit and half-scale Corsair. A 1,600 sq. ft. addition was added in 2013, and another in 2015. There are lots of informative brochures for every visitor, in-depth history to the nth!!
We finished off our grand tour by stepping across a little road to dine at the Parachute Inn, you know your kids will love this! The food was awesome, and Aimie, the cook/manager, and the owner Doris Gustin, served with efficiency and hospitable smiles some really good chow. We bought just ONE of the delicious fried apple pies, and I got to half it while my friend drove. Needless to say, he got less than half a pie. It was so flaky and delicious, hot out of the fire! I totally recommend you visit this awesome dining – a Boeing 737 Jet Airplane! You may call them at 870-866-5918 for times and what’s hot off the stove!
This is the perfect place to take your family, your kids, your grand kids, your friend, and YOU need to take the walk back in our United States History and enjoy perusing what Walnut Ridge’s Wings of Honor Museum offers. I promise you will learn a lot, like a lot, and feel so proud of all our soldiers as I do, including my dad.
The museum is open Monday-Saturday 9-5, Sunday 2-5. It is located at 70 South Beacon Road, 3 miles north on US 67 at the Walnut Ridge Airport. You may call them at 800-584-5575/ 870-886-6748/870-878-6859.
