With their wings spread in a suspended state of flight, the dream of soaring is still alive.
"People are surprised when they get here,” said Shelly Ragesdale with the National Naval Aviation Museum.
Not far from the Florida and Alabama border, you'll discover a museum where flying is celebrated daily.
"We have volunteer tour guides who are veterans. Some flew some of these planes, or a family member did or they worked on these planes. So that is a unique part of the time you come and visit here,” Ragesdale shares.
The National Naval Aviation Museum at Naval Air Station Pensacola features the world's largest collection of Naval aviation. Inside awaits more than 150 restored aircraft representing the Navy, Coast Guard and Marine Corps.
"There are a lot of different branches of the military that are part of naval aviation," Ragesdale explained.
She boasts this is one of the best attended museums in Florida each year. Some restored aircraft feature natural sections show the effects of war. Other planes have "cut-away" sections where you can peer inside and see how servicemen worked in the sky.
"You can go up and get close and personal with these aircraft. You can touch them. Sometimes you can peer into the cockpits,” Ragesdale said, since many of the aircraft do not have ropes surrounding the planes. Here, getting close is expected.
The Sea King is better known as Marine One. The helicopter still lands on the White House lawn, yet the one in the collection here is special. Look inside and find a statue of Richard Nixon, since this was his Marine One.
"You always have a unique story to take home with you,” Ragesdale concluded.
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