John Goldcamp (right) of Northbrook says hello to Fergal “Pat” Gallagher, of Grayslake and past president of the Lake County Council of the Navy League of the United States. Goldcamp served in the U.S. Army as a sergeant during the Persian Gulf Operation Desert Storm from 1989 to 1993. Gallagher served overseas in the early years (1965) of the war in Vietnam.

The documentary “Heroes On Deck: WWII on Lake Michigan” was premiered at the ArcLight Cinemas followed by the annual  “Taste of the Glen” May 22 at 1850 Tower Drive in Glenview’s The Glen.

The sold-out reception included 766 guests who came out on an early Sunday evening to see a complimentary premiere screening of a public television documentary from filmmakers John Davies, Harvey Moshman and Brian Kallies.

The film explores the stories behind military planes submerged in Lake Michigan, many of them connected with Naval Air Station Glenview heritage.

Jim Hawkins, captain, U.S. Navy, is commanding officer of Naval Station Great Lakes.

“It’s very difficult to find a great World War II story the BBC hasn’t already done,” Davies said, from Wheaton but now of Burbank, Calif.

“I really wish the village had recognized the significance of Naval Air Station Glenview a little bit sooner and made provisions for it to be a museum.

“It’s not too late,” Davies said.

The premiere launched a $5 million grassroots fundraising drive to finance construction of a permanent museum, which will be named The Naval Air Station Glenview Museum and Flight Academy.

(From left) John Likosar of Romeoville, formerly of Glenview, Dave Truitt of Chicago, Jim Hawkins, captain, U.S. Navy, and commanding officer of Naval Station Great Lakes and Bill Marquardt of Deerfield, president of the Glenview Hangar One Foundation.

The space and collection will help to chronicle and preserve the history of Naval Air Station Glenview. A current Naval Air Station Glenview Museum is located at 2040 Lehigh Ave. in Glenview.

More than $11,000 was raised in pledges, $8,000 in sponsorships and $5,000 in donations, totaling more than $25,000, kickstarting the new museum’s official fundraising effort, said Tamara Taylor Holmes of Glenview and fundraiser spokesperson.

“I think it’s a very nice event,” said Jim Hawkins, captain, U.S. Navy, and commanding officer of Naval Station Great Lakes.

“I think telling the history is an important story to tell.

“There are a lot of folks who care about the Navy and that’s a beautiful thing,” Hawkins said.

Hawkins, who grew up in Wisconsin, landed at Naval Air Station Glenview during his career and watched airshows hosted in Glenview during his youth.

“We can never forget our past,” Hawkins said.

Tamara Taylor Holmes (left) of Glenview is with John Goldcamp of Northbrook with his wife Stephanie Goldcamp and the Goldcamp children, from right, Liz, 13, a Northbrook Junior High School seventh-grader, Jack, 11, a Westmoor School fifth-grader and Charlie, 8, a second-grader, also at Westmoor School.

Judy Hughes of Northbrook, Northbrook Historical Society president, has lived with her family for years in a home in central Northbrook, which was on a flight path of Naval Air Station Glenview aerial activity.

“We miss it,” said Hughes, who grew up residing in Evanston, Skokie, Glenview and Wilmette.

“My father was a pilot here so it’s important to me.

“It’s very close to my heart,” Hughes said.

Other guests noshing on fare from several local restaurants caught up with neighbors or met new friends.

John Goldcamp of Northbrook said hello to Fergal “Pat” Gallagher, of Grayslake and past president of the Lake County Council of the Navy League of the United States.

Goldcamp served in the U.S. Army as a sergeant during Operation Desert Storm from 1989 to 1993. Gallagher served overseas as a medic in the early years (circa 1965) of the war in Vietnam.

Gallagher said he was asked to return to Vietnam during his military career.

Judy Hughes of Northbrook, president of the Northbrook Historical Society, shares her memories of Naval Air Station Glenview before the film screening.

“It was horrible enough that I didn’t care to go back, ’65 was the beginning of the war,” Gallagher said.

“And it was already bad enough.

“I declined,” he added.

“I saw the writing on the wall.”

Gallagher said building a museum to document Glenview military history is, “a fantastic idea.”

“The Navy is a big part of the community of Lake County,” said Gallagher, who served from 1955 to 1982 in the U.S. Navy.

“The Navy is an economic powerhouse.”

Goldcamp, was an Arlington Heights-based reservist upon his return from the Persian Gulf until 1996. He came to Naval Air Station Glenview during that time as a color guard member.

Maya Bassin, 19, (right) formerly of Glenview and now of Lawrence, Kan., volunteers.

“It’s pretty cool,” Goldcamp said, pleased with the museum proposal.

“We (his family) used to come here from Barrington and sit where Costco (2900 Patriot Boulevard) is now and watch the planes land,” said Goldcamp, a 1988 Barrington High School graduate.

Goldcamp brought his family to the screening. He and wife Stephanie Goldcamp have three children, Liz, 13, a Northbrook Junior High School seventh-grader, Jack, 11, a Westmoor School fifth-grader and Charlie, 8, a second-grader, also at Westmoor School.

George Tantchev, 18, of Glenview and a Glenbrook South High School senior, performs on drums with the high school’s jazz combo.

“It’s great to help a cause like this,” John Goldcamp said.

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