| The Brooks Heritage Foundation was
founded in 1987 and is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization incorporated
by the State of Texas, whose purpose is to educate the public
on the important role of aerospace research, development, and education.
The Foundation accomplishes this purpose through support of the
material heritage activities at Brooks
AFB, Texas, including the AF Historical Holdings located in Hangar
9 and the USAF
Aeromedical Evacuation Annex; Schriever Heritage Park and the Sidney
J. Brooks Memorial. The Foundation also has an active Scholarship
Program directed toward graduating high school seniors pursuing
a career in a scientific or technical field and to students enrolled
in the Brooks City-Base Student Education Employment Program
[Student Aides].
With the tremendous changes taking place in the US Air Force in
the recent past, it became evident to those associated with Brooks
AFB that there was an important historical significance to the base
that was not being recognized or preserved. Other than Hangar 9
and the Kennedy Memorial Plaque, there was very little physical
evidence of the rich history of the base. In 1986, Schriever Heritage
Park was developed to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Aerospace
Medical Division and became the cornerstone of what has now become
an active historical restoration, preservation and recognition program.
Plans began in late 1986 to formally commemorate the 70th anniversary
of Brooks AFB in November 1987. This was the beginning of the Foundation.
In order to support the construction of the Sidney J. Brooks Memorial,
a private organization was needed to provide the funding. The organization
was formed from a group of civilian and military [retired and active
duty] individuals who had a close connection to Brooks and its history.
Funding was obtained through memberships and donations. On the13th
of November of
1987 the Memorial was formally dedicated, culminating a week long
observance that included a parade and a special appearance by the
Wright-B Flyer, a replica of the first military aircraft. In 1992,
the Foundation culminated a year long fundraising campaign to
support the 75th anniversary of Brooks AFB by funding the relocation
and renovation
of a Brooks AFB WWII structure to house the exhibits dedicated to
Flight Nursing and Aeromedical Evacuation. The USAF Aeromedical
Evacuation Annex is adjacent to Hangar 9 and was formally presented
to the USAF by the Foundation in November 1992. As part of the agreement
between the Air Force base and the Foundation, the Foundation has
been granted space in this facility for their office, a Gift Shop,
and for their donor recognition
wall.
In April 1996, the Foundation agreed to support Brooks AFB in the
formation of a Challenger Learning Center to be located on Brooks
in close proximity to Hangar 9 and the Annex. In March 1997, due
to complications within the Air Force, a separate Foundation, the
Brooks Aerospace Foundation, had to be formed to carry on the development
of this Center. Both Foundations work closely together to keep the
link between past and future secure.
In July 2002, Brooks AFB was conveyed to the Brooks Development
Authority, an entity
of the City of San Antonio. The foundation, together with the San
Antonio Conservation Society, City of San Antonio, State Historical
Preservation Office, the Brooks
Development Authority, and the Air Force, is a signatory on the
Historical Properties Memorandum of Agreement signed in May 2002.
This memorandum secured the future
of the historical properties such as Hangar 9 and the cluster of
buildings which housed
missions dedicated to the man in space program by providing guidelines
for maintenance
and for development of their surrounding areas. The foundation maintains
an active relationship with the USAF presence on the newly formed
Brooks City-Base property through a Memorandum of Agreement with
the 311th Human Systems Wing. All historical holdings are still
intact and displayed in either Hangar 9 or the Aeromedical Evacuation
Annex and the Foundation operations continue without change.
The Foundation is working to increase membership and corporate involvement
in order to ensure a stable endowment in the event that support
of Brooks’ material heritage is further reduced or suspended.
Since 1993, the Foundation has been included in the annual Combined
Federal Campaign for the San Antonio area.
In the almost 14 years since its formation, the Brooks Heritage
Foundation City-Base has worked to form a common bond that will
unite those to whom Brooks AFB has meant so much. It has invested
in the future by operating as a professional organization, keeping
the membership informed and involved, and cementing the strong relationship
with the Brooks and San Antonio communities. From a small corps
of Founder members, the Foundation
has approximately 100 individual and corporate members from all
over the world whose loyal dedication has and will continue to sustainthe
organization for many years.
To join the Brooks Heritage Foundation, please 'click' on Membership
Application, fill in the form, and submit it with payment to the
Brooks Heritage Foundation, P.O. Box 35362, San Antonio, TX 78235.
Please download and print all three pages of the application. Complete
the application as directed and mail to the address on the application.
Applications are due June 1, 2007.
Recipient will be notified no later then June 15, 2007.
Questions? Call (210) 531-9767.
P.D. Straw Scholarship
Cover
P.D. Straw Scholarship
Application
P.D. Straw Rules
Student Aide Scholarship
Student Aide
Scholarship Cover
Student Aide Application
Student Aide Rules
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