Memorabilia From Popular Flyer's Bar Donated To National Museum Of Naval Aviation

Trader Jon's, a Pensacola landmark among Navy and Marine aviators, closed a couple of years ago, much to the chagrin of combat aviators who spent many a night there unwinding and swapping stories. But now, at least some of the bar's memorabilia survives at the nearby National Museum of Naval Aviation. You can't get a drink there, but you can look back at one of the most remarkable collections of pictures and other items that adorned the walls of that venerable hang-out.

As Aero-News reported two years ago, Trader Jon's folded in 2003, after the death of its proprietor, Martin "Trader Jon" Weissman in 2000.

But Naval Aviation Museum Director Jack Fetterman (Vice Admiral, USN, ret.) was determined that antiquities from Trader Jon's would live on under his care -- THAT'S how important Trader Jon's was to Navy and Marine aviators who streamed through the bar for 50-years.

One of them was Navy flier John McCain, now a senior US senator (R-AZ).

"Trader Jon's was a place where naval aviators went to relax, swap stories and enjoy each other's company," McCain told local reporters. "I cherish the memories of my time spent there."

The collection salvaged from Trader Jon's was purchased by a Pensacola law firm and donated to the museum on Friday. It's said to be worth about $2 million. But for generations of flyers, it's priceless.

FMI: www.naval-air.org