Huntsville-based Radiance Technologies is continuing to grow into one of the country’s preeminent defense contractors. Along with the advancement in notoriety and technology, has come a development of company culture that prides itself on its connections with the U.S. military and space exploration. To that end, employees and those with connections to the defense industry have now begun assembling what they call the “Space and Missile Defense Breakout Room.”
The room, located just beyond the building’s lobby, features a variety of military-centered memorabilia including a Brig. General’s dress hat, an expansive map showcasing the military presence in the area of Kwajalein, documents featuring several images from World War II, a number of rocket models, action reports, and antique furniture from the North Alabama area.
Ivey “Chip” Drewry III is a former DOD official and the son of Brig. Gen. Ivey Drewry, a former officer at Redstone Arsenal and World War 2 veteran. Much of the elderly Drewery’s possessions and documentation from conflicts have been donated to the room.
“I thought, okay, I got that and bought all new furniture for this building. Leadership is like, we need a room for this. We should recognize and understand our history.”
“Going through my father’s stuff after he passed on, I had stacks of this stuff,” said Drewry. “I gave his uniforms and the big missiles to the missile defense. They have an archives department. So I gave them all that stuff. “
Drewry pointed to a map showing Kwajalein and noted that the furniture in the room is historical.
“This is the most significant piece though when they put this because I just found it in a drawer, I was going to throw it away,” he said. “I was going through stacks of stuff at that point. And when, when I brought it in, I’m not sure who it was that received it. But they framed it and it’s from the 50s, it’s 70 years old.”
“These chairs I found. They’re hard to find. Used to be in the old courthouse. Madison County Courthouse chairs.”
The younger Drewry was compelled to serve his country after witnessing his father’s dedication.
“I still love the country. I still feel like I’m a patriot. I just didn’t do it in the military. I did it in the Department of Defense. So my part was different. I was trying to keep boys alive instead of trying to kill them.”
Jerry Skievaski, executive chief of staff for the company’s CEO, explained the room’s practical use.
“A lot of our people from the Arsenal come off-site and meet in this room on one because it’s easy to get,” said Skievaski. “Close the door and you got a nice one on one. It’s across from our biggest conference center. A lot of times people have to step out and take a call. So they jump in here.”
Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten
