MOUNT VERNON — Michael Sabados is only 11 years old but he already has a dream. Sabados dreams of a military museum in Mount Vernon to house his own collection of military memorabilia and eventually items for the collections of others.
Michael has been collecting for several years and has items such as uniforms, swords and ammunition. He will also be getting some items connected with the historic Tuskegee Airmen from World War II.
Sabados got his start with the collection because of family participation in the military and because of a concern for soldiers who were serving in Iraq and still in Afghanistan.
“I’ve been collecting for two years,” he said. “I did it because of the soldiers who died in the wars. I think other people should see these.”
Michael buys a lot of the items he collects and earns the money himself, with some help from his mother, Judy.
“Me and my mom usually sell pop cans up by the junkyard,” Michael said.
His collection ranges from the Civil War, from which he has a few items which belonged to his great-grandfather to the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“He knows a Colonel in Iraq who sends him a bunch of stuff,” Judy explained.
Michael also has a few items from his grandfather, Mike Frank Sabados, who lived in Conduit and is now deceased.
“There was an arson fire in Michael’s grandfather’s house in Conduit,” Judy explained. “That was several years ago and he lost most of his stuff but saved a few medals and things. Those are now in his collection.”
The size of Michael’s collection is impressive and in a way that worries Judy.
“We’ve been wanting to try to move his stuff out of here because we’ve been having trouble with people stealing in this area.”
Michael goes to a lot of garage sales to find items for his collection and people donate to his collection. He has also purchased items from Craigslist.
But his biggest coup may come this November. Michael contacted Ed Marast of the Tuskegee Airmen Inc.
“They are trying to get clearance for us to attend the Tuskegee reunion at Rickenbacker Air Force Base in November. I think there are maybe 10 of them left. And he will be getting autographs from them,” Judy said.
“I’m going to get autographs and pictures,” Michael added.
Meanwhile, Michael’s collection just keeps growing.
“We’ve got more stuff coming this weekend,” Judy said. “We’re supposed to be gone [today] to pick up some stuff from a Marine. And we’re supposed to be going to Centerburg to pick up some more stuff. This guy is in the Army and works with nuclear stuff. He has a bunch of suits and patches and stuff for him.”
Starting a museum is a daunting task, but both Judy and Michael hope to eventually find some way to exhibit and preserve these bits of U.S. history.
