Pima Air & Space Museum | Tucson, Arizona
At the Pima Air & Space Museum, I found myself surrounded by an immense archive of aircraft—each one a relic of ingenuity, sacrifice, and survival. Among them were planes tied to Goldie’s past, making the experience feel less like a museum visit and more like stepping into the echoes of history itself.
One of the greatest honors of this trip was meeting Sanford L. Jones, a WWII U.S. Army Air Corps B-24 Liberator gunner, who will celebrate his 100th birthday next year. Sitting with him, listening to his stories, and meeting his family—three children who so clearly cherish their father’s legacy—was a privilege. His memories were vivid, filled with details that bridged the past and felt strikingly familiar.
Walking alongside Mr. Jones near a B-24, I listened as he recounted what it was like to operate as a gunner, shielding his crew while feeling the weight of responsibility with every mission. He spoke of the P-38 Lightning pilots who flew overhead, protecting bombers like his, and how the Luftwaffe feared them. Standing there, I felt a surge of pride knowing my grandfather was among those pilots—his presence in the skies providing men like Mr. Jones with a fighting chance.
Though the P-38 Lightning at Pima was under restoration, the day was filled with filming, powerful interviews, and moments that deepened my connection to the history I’ve been immersed in. Standing in the presence of these legendary aircraft, running my hands over their riveted surfaces, and stepping inside their hollowed-out frames, I could almost feel the weight of those who had once sat in these very seats, scanning the skies, hoping to return home.
I am deeply grateful to everyone who shared their stories with us, who took the time to sit, reflect, and connect across generations. And I’m especially thankful to the Pima Air & Space Museum for opening their doors and allowing us to capture the essence of these extraordinary aircraft. There is still so much more to see, and I know this won’t be my last visit.
Onward!,
Lauren
