Pope total force team restores historic WWII cannon

by Senior Airman Melissa Dearstone
440th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

6/4/2013 - HOPE MILLS, N.C. -- Teamwork and dedication brought volunteers from the 440th Maintenance Squadron, Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps., and civilians together to refurbish a World War II 105 millimeter howitzer cannon at Veteran's Memorial Park in Hope Mills, N.C.

Hope Mills Mayor Jackie Warner presented the volunteers with certificates of appreciation at the board of commissioners meeting May 6 and recognized them for not only refurbishing the cannon, but also for cleaning up the park.

Nine volunteers spent their weekends helping with this project, according to Senior Master Sgt. Mark Slade, 440th MXS structural maintenance supervisor. "We not only preserved the cannon, but we pressured washed the benches and cleaned up the park to make it nicer and more presentable for the community of Hope Mills," slade said.

The cannon, designed to provide light and field artillery support for tactical infantry units, was becoming an eyesore and safety hazard and was going to be removed from the park if it not restored.

"Before we began the refurbishing process, we assessed the cannon and took what we could apart," said Staff Sgt. Nicholas Dudley, 440th MXS. "We took the parts we could and sand-blasted them, got rid of the rust and corrosion, and then painted them. We did the same with the parts left on-site."

Senior Airman Brandon Hamilton, 440th MXS, said that he and team leader Staff Sgt. Marcus Martinis researched the cannon to make sure they got the original color scheme correct in order to preserve the historical value.

Hamilton said that this project showed the community that military members' willingness to get involved and help one another.

"The work done between the active duty members, ART's, JROTC and civilians shows how we can all work together as a team and set a good example to everyone," said Dudley about the total force effort to refurb the cannon. "We are all under the same flag and it is important that we can all work together to accomplish goals."