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Annual Tattoo event canceled

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Greene County News

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE — Base officials have announced the cancellation of the 2016 Freedom’s Call Tattoo, the annual celebration of music and fireworks held each June since 2005 on the grounds of the National Museum of the United States Air Force.

“This is a very difficult decision, because Tattoo has been a Wright-Patt tradition for the past 10 years,” said Col. John Devillier, 88th Air Base Wing commander. “But we have to direct our limited resources to other mission priorities.”

The tattoos have twice been cancelled due to adverse weather. The first cancellation was in 2012 when a freak wind storm struck the grounds in early afternoon and then again last year due to substantial rainfall leading up to the event.

There has been no decision regarding future tattoos.

Throughout the year, the Air Force will continue to support local community celebrations around the 4th of July with speakers, honor guard, band performances, etc., as well as other events in the community.

Devillier thanked tattoo sponsors for their support.

“Our team has done a magnificent job overcoming significant budget issues over the last few years and we have been helped immensely by incredibly supportive sponsors. I have no doubt they would bend over backwards to support tattoo, but it is not possible to use sponsorship money for all expenses.” Devillier said.

On June 11 and 12, the National Museum of the United States Air Force’s will host the grand opening of the new, massive 224,000 square foot building that will showcase more than 70 aircraft in four new museum galleries to include Presidential, Research and Development, Space and Global Reach and three science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) Learning Nodes.

Story courtesy of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.