Page Updated: 22 April 2024
Monument Construction, Installation and Dedication Timeline
The Monument was built by Rock of Ages, 558 Graniteville Road,
Graniteville, Vermont 05654 (https://rockofages.com/) and was delivered to the USAF Armament Museum on 28 Nov 2023.
Site Preparation: The site is located at the USAF Armament Museum near Eglin AFB, FL. URL: http://www.afarmamentmuseum.com/. The monument has been received and installed on the 15′ x 15′ slab to host the monument from 29 Nov to 1 Dec 23. A 3′ x 4′ walkway leading to the monument with a walkway surrounded adorned with AMMO pavers. See order form below and instructions ordering an AMMO Monument Paver.
Status of AMMO Monument Construction: Rock of Ages is completed and delivered the monument on 28 Nov 2023. After a few necessary modifications to improve fit and stability, the base, shell, and flame were installed onto the pad and surrounding pavers were placed into position by the Emerald Coast Chapter (ECC) monument project lead, Gene Cox and others. The base is engraved with inscriptions of Munitions Badges, Maintenance Badge, and Air Force Logo.
Delivery: Delivery is complete and was received at the USAF Armament Museum on 28 Nov 2023.
Installation: Final site preparation is complete.
Note to AMMO from Emerald Coast Chapter (ECC),
The Emerald Coast Chapter (ECC) of the AMMO Chiefs Association are happy to announce the AMMO Heritage Monument (AHM) is in-place at the USAF Armament Museum located at Eglin AFB, Florida.
This is the only museum dedicated to the collection, preservation and exhibition of artifacts and memorabilia associated with Air Force Armament and its platforms of delivery.
The AHM sits in the center of a 15 x 15 foot pad surrounded by approximately 900 commemorative pavers.
All AMMO Troops (AFSC 461/465/2W0/21M) that are active duty, retired, or honorably separated are eligible to have a paver laid around the monument. Pavers for AMMO spouses will also be accepted. We request a $50 donation for each paver.
To Order a AMMO Monument Paver fill out the attached form at the below URL:
https://ammochiefs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/AMMO-Paver-Order-Form-17-Mar-2024.docx
NOTE: These are NOT Airman Heritage Foundation (AHF) – Lackland AMMO Legacy Pavers.
If you want to order an AHF AMMO Legacy Paver, go to: Airman Heritage Foundation (AHF) AMMO LEGACY PAVER Program | AMMO Chief’s Association (ammochiefs.com)
Methods to submit donations for an AMMO Monument paver are through VENMO (SELECT PAYMENT BETWEEN FRIENDS), Cash App, Zelle (search 8509022487 or Treasurer ACAECC) or mail a check made out to “ACA Emerald Coast Chapter” to ECC Treasurer, C/O Johnny Long, 101 Nicole Lane, Crestview, Florida, 32539 (information is also on the form).
Complete one form for each paver and ensure the information is accurate. Place your email address and phone number on each form. Save the order form using “Last Name, First Name AMMO paver order form” of the person the form is for. Completed forms must be emailed to both Gene Cox at spectre1221@gmail.com and Johnny Long at acaemerald.coast.chapter@gmail.com .
We provide a chart with approximate paver locations so you can pick a number around the monument that you would like your paver placed. If you select a numbered locations we will get in as near as we can, but we cannot guarantee you’ll get the exact location.
Questions; email Johnny or Gene.
JOHNNY LONG, Treasurer, ACA Emerald Coast Chapter, Not for profit organization, IYAAYAS
To Order an AMMO Heritage Monument Paver use the attached Order Form (link below):
AMMO Monument Paver Placement Map
History of the AMMO Monument
Beginnings: At the AMMO Chiefs Association Reunion held in Branson MO in October 2016 there was a proposal made to consider development of an AMMO Monument. Discussion ensued and it was agreed that any action would need to garner the support of the Ammo Community as a whole, active duty, guard, reserve, and retired. The ACA is not the owner of this proposal but some of its members have agreed to help guide its initial formation. A committee to oversee the project was established recently and is open to all points of view on this project.
Our Goal is to preserve the AMMO Heritage with a Monument that depicts or symbolizes the efforts of the USAF Munitions Systems Career Field personnel and their achievements.
Points considered for the design included:
- Acknowledge the history of ordnance and specifically the impact of munitions personnel on the use of airpower.
- Recognize the achievements in USAF Airpower and the influence AMMO has had on these achievements.
- Memorialize the grit and determination the field has had to endure in conflicts over the years.
- Become a historical monument to the past and touchstone for the future
- Link the past to the present and enable people to remember and respect the sacrifice of those who participated in or were part of the Munitions Maintenance career field.
See the winning design here: https://ammochiefs.com/ammo-memorial/ammo-heritage-monument-design-selection/
It should be noted that although the idea for the AMMO Monument was conceived within the ACA, we are not to be considered the “owners” of it. When completed, “Ownership” of the Memorial will belong to all USAF AMMO Troops, past, present and future. With that said, ACA plans to support the care and feeding of the monument in the future with any and all donations from the AMMO community and others.
Costs: The total cost of the AMMO Monument to date is $41,539.55 to construct, prepare site, deliver, install, plaque, fit and finish, and dedicate the monument. 100-percent of these costs were paid by monetary donations from AMMO people, businesses, organizations, and other private donors. You can still donate to the ACA to cover future care and feeding of the AMMO Monument or other ACA worthwhile causes that we support.
Additional links for donations:
https://ammochiefs.com/
paypal.me/AmmoChiefs
https://ammochiefs.com/donations-to-the-aca/
paypal.me/AmmoChiefs and save us the fees
Or you can mail in a donation (make check out to AMMO Chiefs Association) to the:
AMMO Chiefs Association
c/o ACA Treasurer, Mike Robertson
16394 Red Cedar Rd, Piedmont, SD 57769