Time Capsule opened during Naval Weapons Station Yorktown's Centennial Celebration

Photo By Max Lonzanida | Ed Renninger, a retired employee from Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, holds up a set of identification tags that his father wore during WWII. Renninger, or "Easy Ed" as many affectionately refer to him, has close ties with the facility. (US Navy Photo by Civilian Public Affairs Officer Max Lonzanida/Released).  

NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, UNITED STATES

08.14.2018

Story by Max Lonzanida  

Naval History and Heritage Command

Yorktown, Virginia is a hub of history; in-fact the area itself is referred to as Virginia’s Historic Triangle. Colonial National Historical Park, which falls within the Department of Interior’s National Park Service commemorates the final battle of the American Revolution. On October 19, 1781; Lord Cornwallis surrendered his British Army to a combined American and French force under Washington and Rochambeau. The site is now referred to as surrender field, which ironically is dotted with patches of Yorktown Onions. The purple and pink hued bulbs of these plants bloom every spring and summer; and visitors are often intrigued to know that the iconic plant that is protected by local law, is not native to the area. While Yorktown Onions highlight the areas around the National Park Service’s Colonial Parkway; visitors from near and far flocked to Naval Weapons Station Yorktown to take part in the facility's Centennial Celebration.

On August 10, 2018, the headquarters building at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown and surrounding areas were host to the facility’s Centennial Celebration. The facility enjoys a rich Naval History. On August 7, 1918, President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation establishing the Navy Mine Depot at Yorktown, Virginia. For its construction, about 13,000 acres that straddle the Counties of York, Warwick, and James City County were appropriated. By its 40th Anniversary in 1958, the facility’s name was changed to Naval Weapons Station Yorktown. Today, the sprawling complex spans across nearly 21 square miles, and is home to over 35 tenant commands including the Naval Munitions Command, the US Marine Corps’ Second Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team, a Naval Expeditionary Logistics Support Group, and is known to be the US Navy’s premier weapons facility. On that humid afternoon, current and former employees, personnel, members of the community and members of the command staff of the facility gathered to commemorate the facility’s 100th year of operations.

Prior to the start of festivities, exhibitors from the facility’s departments and tenant commands were on-hand. At the cultural resources tent, Bruce Larsen, Director of Cultural Resources at Naval Facilities Engineering Command showed some historical pictures and maps of the facility. Tiffany Goodrich, of the facility’s Cultural Resources Office, pointed out a map from the 1920s which showed tracts of land and provided some information about the Lee House. The non-descript Lee House was constructed in 1651, burned down and rebuilt in 1915; it’s the oldest house on a Naval Base. Representatives from the Geology Department at the College of William and Mary were also on-hand to showcase recent excavations in conjunction with the facility’s Cultural Resources staff. The US Navy Stewards of the Sea exhibit was also on-hand, in addition there was an exhibit that highlighted conservation efforts for Diamond-Back terrapins found aboard the facility’s grounds. Tenant commands also had exhibits; which included emergency response vehicles and a display from the Navy Submarine Torpedo Facility featuring a pair of Mark 48, Mod 7 torpedoes adorned with stunning artwork.

Intermingled among the exhibitors were a few veterans of both military and civil service, who had connections to the facility. At the cultural resources tent, we had the opportunity to meet “Easy” Ed Renninger, or “Easy Ed” as many affectionately refer to him as. Ed worked in an ordnance production facility that manufactured 500 pound bombs. Ed points out that while he was employed, he earned $3.26/hour, and earned an additional 21 cents in hazard pay for working in the bomb making facility. This was at the time when a soda would cost 20 cents. Ed held up a pair of rubber soled shoes that he wore while working in the munitions factory; and said that there were times when a single shift would produce 520 bombs per shift at the height of the Vietnam War. Another local resident and former civilian employee, Alfred G. Hall pointed out from his motorized wheelchair that he was conceived at the facility. Hall was born in 1927 at nearby Fort Eustis; his family owned a home aboard the facility, and he jokes that he always looked forward to coming home. Hall served with the US Navy Seabees during WWII, and shared some poignant stories of his service during the Okinawa campaign.

Before long, a small crowd gathered around a stage in front of the HQ building. Katie Grandori, the base Public Affairs Officer, provided some opening remarks. The facility’s Commanding Officer, Captain Matthew Kosnar provided some remarks about the significance of the event. A letter from US Senator Mark Warner was read, and everyone in the crowd clamored for a closer view as a steel time capsule was opened. The time capsule was previously buried under the bell found in front of the HQ building. The time capsule was buried in 1993, and artifacts from that era were brought out to the crowd’s amazement. There was a staffing manual, a base directory, a program with the 75th anniversary schedule of events, and several challenge coins were also brought out. Historical pictures showing buildings on the facility, and a car accident were also retrieved from the capsule. Each item was carefully sealed in plastic bags, and was remarkably well preserved. Afterwards, visitors were invited on-stage to see the items up close, and items to be included when the time capsule is re-sealed were also on display. The Centennial festivities continued that evening with the US Fleet Forces’ Rock Band, Four Star Edition performing and the band Parlamee performing afterwards.

About the Museum:

The Hampton Roads Naval Museum is one of ten Navy museums that are operated by the Naval History & Heritage Command. It celebrates the long history of the U.S. Navy in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia and is co-located with Nauticus in downtown Norfolk, Virginia. Admission to the museum is free, simply by-pass the ticket line and take the stairs or elevator to the museum on the second deck. The museum hosts a robust educational program for area schools and commands, with free educational programs to area schools aligned with state curriculum standards, a travelling sea chest program, a premier Lego outreach program, and historical presentations for area commands. To inquire, contact their Educational Director, Laura Orr at [e-mail] or at [phone]. The museum is also host to a robust volunteer corps, who serve as docents, support special events, and assist in museum archives. To inquire, contact their Volunteer Coordinator, Darcy Sink at [e-mail] or at [phone].

• Date Taken: 08.14.2018
• Date Posted: 08.14.2018 11:35
• Story ID: 288682
• Location: NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, US