[8D]Well, I brought out my own pins...to revamp the board and share with my flying comrades. We washed all the bird poop off the board, cleaned out the plexiglass pockets, painted up some new clothes pins with flourescent orange, put nice readable numbers on them, then sealed them off with epoxy clear. These pins should outlast the board, easily.

Like I said, I'm ready for the firey darts of hatred...people don't like change, or someone trying to improve a process. We'll see what happens. After a week of the new board being up I'll report back with my "experiences."

Much has been learned here and, in a small way, I am glad this happened now when it did.

Edit: I think as each person that flies at this site takes on some small project to make the field better we'll all be more careful to take care of what we have. It is such a privilage to be able to fly model aircraft, especially on a military installation.

P.S. those white things at the top are to keep the birds from pooping directly onto the board...maybe a cabinet is on the list for another project? I like the idea of a cabinet because if it is closed (which it shouldn't be if someone is flying) then people will know that nobody has grabbed their pin yet. Someone mentioned "opening of the field for flying" and that makes a lot of sense. These forums are great for people out flying at remote sites like I am. It gives me a way to touch base with other modelers and learn.