Let's Get Social

Let me take you back to the days when “MaBell” dominated how you communicated with distant family and friends. I’d venture to say your primary means was a rotary dial telephone, undoubtedly a party line, some had to crank, attached to the wall in your home. Getting social meant the neighbors were listening in to your phone conversations.

How times have changed! Today’s pilot can communicate with their friends and former squadron mates worldwide on a variety of devices. A cellphone, laptop computer, tablet, smartphone, or a television connected to your home WiFi network. Social media, via the internet, provides a much broader range of options. Thousands communicate daily from a visit to a museum, a video segment from an airshow, or post a compelling story shared with a veteran.

For our patrons, it all begins at the Foundation’s website. This is the launch point for all our public activities, educational outreach, and social media outlets. We’re proud to report our active Facebook community has grown to over 25,550 likes! This summer we launched two social media initiatives; Twitter, @FlyUSMC1 and a YouTube channel.

If you’re new to social media, Facebook allows the public to post photo’s of aircraft, tributes and videos that our audience loves to comment on.

For example; “The beloved Phantom 4. 232 flew the J bird 1973-1975 while I served with them at Iwakuni and other parts of WestPac. Now they fly out of MCAS Miramar.” (From Mike Wifler one of our proud docents.)

Twitter is where we share museum activities and quotes from Medal of Honor recipients. For example, "To observe a Marine, is #inspirational. To be a Marine, is exceptional." GySgt Charles F. Wolf, Jr.

And YouTube allows us to share videos of airshow, museum, and restoration hanger activities and special events on the museum grounds.

So, let’s get social. When you post comments, photos or videos to your personal social media site, simply tag them with #FlyUSMC1. This will allow us to print comments in future editions of the Log Book to share with your fellow foundation members who have not yet made the leap to social media.

To support your foundation’s efforts, we’ve also recently established a PayPal account. Donating is support of the Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation has never been easier! Just click on Donate Now. The Flying Leathernecks Aviation Museum charges no admission. We rely on your generous donations to support our preservation efforts and the operation of the Museum.

Thank you for your continued support - Semper Fidelis

(This post appeared in Fall/Winter 2014 edition, Flying Leathernecks Log Book)

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