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June 2009
Mission Update! News from the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum |
Vol 7, Issue 1 |
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175 Bourne Ave
Pooler, GA 31322
912.748.8888
Open daily 9:00 a.m - 5:00 p.m.
(Closed New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving & Christmas) |
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| Community Appreciation Days in June |
The Museum has dedicated June as Community Appreciation Month to the Coastal Empire and Low Country. It has reduced its regular admission rates of $10 for adults and $6 for kids to only $5 for adults and $3 for kids.
June 1st - 8th Pooler Residents
June 8th - 15th Liberty County Residents
June 15th - 22nd Chatham, Jasper,
Beaufort & Bryan
County Residents
June 22nd - 29th Bulloch, Effingham,
McIntosh & Long
County Residents
In addition to the reduced rate, guests will also receive a 10% discount in the Gift Store. And a Free beverage with the purchase of lunch in the Museums restaurant; Chef Matt Cohen's New South Pub. Now is the perfect time to visit the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum. |
Flying Legends Summer Camp 2009
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The Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum is offering Flying Legends Summer Camp again this year. This day camp is perfect for kids ages 6 to 11 years old. Heather Thies, our education director, teaches about the role of children in the home front; navigation, bombardier and pilot training during WWII. There are other activities during camp including a Victory Garden. Camp is Monday - Friday from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. with lunch included and the cost is only $60 per child. There is one extended session on June 22-26 from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. that includes lunch and airplane model assembly. The cost for the extended session is $150
Regular Sessions 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
with Lunch $60
June 15-19
July 20-24
August 3-7
Extended Session 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. with Lunch and Airplane Model building $150
June 22-26
For more information or to register, call Heather Thies at 912.748.8888 ext 106 or email her education@mighteighth.org.
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Book Signings June 27th 10 am - 12 pm |
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Merana Cadorette will be signing her book, "Gates of Savannah: a walking tour"
"A charming look at the unique iron and wooden gates that dot Savannah's world famous historic district. Featuring a collection of full-color paintings, Gates of Savannah reveals the masterfully crafted gates that form a captivating division between Savannah's canopied streets and its stunning homes, secret gardens, and grand churches. Each gate's history is illuminated, paying tribute to the craftsmanship of Savannah's celebrated blacksmiths, artists and designers."
 Andrew Whyte will be signing his book, "How to Draw and Paint Aircraft Like a Pro"
"In How to draw and paint aircraft like a pro, Andrew Whyte, one of the world's greatest aviation artists, explains how to turn your sketches into aviation masterpieces." |
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May Mayhem Recap |
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The Museum's 1st Model Airplane Day was held on May 2nd. Unique model airplanes were displayed throughout the Rotunda. Dozens of children attended the free Children's model airplane building classes. The next Model Airplane Day and free children's model building class will be held on August 22nd.  Many of the Museum amazing collection of model airplanes will be on display for this event.
Armed Forces Day:
Veteran Mr. Bert Josie sold over 30 copies of his book, "Two Years on My Ass" which chronicles the remarkable adventure of a Citadel man from Orangeburg South Carolina in the Andes Mountains and Haiti,
The Museum recognized 56 military
veterans for their service to our country.
Over Memorial Day Weekend the Museum recognized 216 military veterans.
In honor of Memorial Day visitors received an American Flag & were encouraged to pay tribute to those who are honored at the Museum by placing flags in the Museum's Memorial Gardens.
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B-17 Restoration Update |
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Steve Ward of International Aero Services donated their renowned services to polish the fuselage of the B-17 on May 27th -29th. Andy Sharpton of N.E.S. Rentals of Pooler provided the use of three air compressors to run the air tools which Steve Ward and his crew needed to get this large task completed. The Museum would like to thank these companies for their great contributions towards our restoration project.
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Contribute to the B-17 Project! 
Work on the restoration of the
B-17 is continuing at a steady pace!
You can be a part of the Museum's B-17 Project.
The Museum appreciates all financial gifts, and for $100 or more you will receive a certificate of participation, suitable for framing, which recognizes your part in this historic Museum event.
Please make all checks payable to "B-17 Project" and mail to:
Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum 175 Bourne Ave.,
Pooler, GA 31322.
If you would like to pay by credit card, please call Tameka Ford at 912-748-8888 ext 101. |
Upcoming Museum Events
For the month of June |
"Mission from Debden" By Wade Meyers ASAA
The Grand Opening of the International Aerospace Art Exhibition is Wednesday, June 24, 2009. This exhibition is presented by the American Society of Aviation Artists & the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum. This exhibit will be on display in the Colonial Inc., Art Gallery through January 3, 2010.
The American Society of Aviation Artists will be holding a Youth Drawing Class here at the Museum on Saturday, June 27 from 10:00am - 12:00pm at no cost. Students will need to provide their own materials such as a sketch book, sharpened pencils, and erasers. The drawing class is for students from Fifth grade and beyond.
Please call or email Priscilla Patterson at 360-477-1495
after 12:00pm due to the time difference or priscillapatterson@wavecable.com to reserve a place in this exciting class or with any questions. Space is limited. |
| 491st & 492nd Bomb Group Reunions
at the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum |
On May 21st - 23rd two World War II Veteran groups spent the weekend with their brothers in arms.
The 491st and 492nd Bomb Groups, both units of the Mighty Eighth Air Force were in town for their annual reunion.
The veterans and their family members spent the day visiting with one another and touring the Museum.
Sadly though, this was the 491st last reunion.
"I want to have memories of all of them in good shape when we are able to operate good. So I want us all to see that. You know time marches on but memories are forever and the memories should be sweet and good," explains John Calvin Shahbaz.
More than two hundred people attended the 491st reunion, fifty of them were veterans ranging in age from 83 to 91.
For members of the 492nd Bomb Group it was not only a reunion but also a dedication to The Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum of a beautiful organ for the Museum Chapel..
With help from the United States Air Force Academy, Ernie Haar found the perfect organ to donate to the Museum.
"The style of the organ fits perfectly with the decor of the Chapel and everyone is delightful and happy," said Haar.
Members of the 491st also donated all their accumulated World War II memorabilia to the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum, including the Candelabra used in their Memorial Service to honor all who were killed in action during 1944/1945 and all who have died since World War II. This Candelabra has been added to their case in the Honoring the Eighth exhibit gallery here at the museum. | |
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Museum Staff
Brenda Elmgren
Director of Development
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Call for Volunteers
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| Do you have a few spare hours? Need something fun and exciting to do? Do you enjoy meeting people from all over the country and World? If you answered "Yes" to any of the these questions, the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum is the perfect place for you to volunteer your
time. 
Volunteers Ed and Betty Robarts
To be a volunteer or for more information, please call
Heather Thies, 912.748.8888
ext 106, or email her education@mightyeighth.org
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| Discounts on Meetings and Special Events! |
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The Events Department is offering special discounted rates on room rentals From corporate catering and receptions to black tie affairs, allow the professional staff at the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum to make your event truly memorable. Book before August 1, 2009, and receive 10% Off your next room rental.
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Upcoming Features!
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Be sure to see our next edition of the "Mission Update!" online newsletter for the latest news, "What's New in the Archives", "World War II Memorial Updates", and much more.
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| New Mighty Eighth Website |
 The newly redesigned Web site of the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum aims to extend the reach of all the Museums programs by serving a broad audience of museum-goers, members, and the general public. The new web site features expanded content, museum exhibits, tour packages as well as special exhibits. The redesign incorporates bold colors and graphics and completely new navigational tools. Access the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum's new web site at: www.mightyeighth.org.
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Turn your Gold into a Museum Donation
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| With gold at an
All-Time-High, Anderson Jewelers is buying your unwanted gold.
Come into Anderson Jewelers in Savannah, GA to sell your scrap gold & 10% of the sale will be donated to the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum. Be sure to mention the Mighty Eighth.
For more information, call Janice at 912.355.8515 or
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| Make your Donation Count! |
Would you like to make your donation to the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum work harder? If your company has a matching gift program, you can double the impact of your contribution.
Matching your gift is simple; ask your human resources department if your company has a matching gift program. Most companies have a short form you need to complete and send in with your donation. That's all there is to it! The Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum will do the rest.
Please ask your company to match your donation, and be sure to remind them that it's tax deductible!
Thank you for your continued support of The Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum.
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Museum Volunteer George Vail
by Heather Thies |
 George Vail retired to Savannah, Georgia in 1998 and was encouraged by a member of his bridge group to visit the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum. When he saw the museum he decided to become a volunteer because of his interest in History. He has been volunteering since 2002 as a Mission Experience Guide.
George spent WWII in New Jersey as a Boy Scout collecting aluminum, paper and other scrap to be recycled into various types of war materials. His father contributed to the war effort by building Liberty ships while his mother worked at Western Electric, building communications equipment for the military. Later, George attended the Jersey Institute of Technology and earned a B.S. in Chemical Engineering. While in ROTC in college, he attended a summer camp in Savannah at Hunter Army Air Base and flew in a T33 and KC-97. He started work at Union Carbine in Charleston, West Virginia but then joined the U.S. Air Force shortly after.
In the Air Force, George first trained as a navigator in Texas and then later as a bombardier in California so he could be a crewman on either a B-47 or B-52.
After one mission on a B-47 he switched to navigated on
a KC-97 which refueled both B-47's and B-52's. |
| Columbarium |
 It has long been the mission of the Museum to honor the stories of courage, character, and patriotism embodied by the members of the Eighth Air Force and their families to provide an experience to inform, educate and inspire those who visit us from all over the world. In keeping with the many traditions we seek to preserve, the Museum has completed one of the most important and ambitious projects in its history. It has long been the Museum's goal to provide Mighty Eighth crew members with a permanent and significant final resting place worthy of those who proudly and heroically served in one of our nation's most renowned military organizations. That goal is now a reality. Construction has been completed on "The Garden of Folded Wings", a magnificent Columbarium program honoring the Mighty Eighth, but available to all.
All that is left to do is the landscaping which we have been unable to complete due to heavy rains.
The Columbarium is located directly behind the Museum Chapel and incorporates beautiful granite surfaces, memorial towers, and natural areas, all in a beautiful setting.
This will be one of the most important Columbaria, in the United States and we are proud of the role it will play in preserving the memory of the Mighty Eighth and others who wish to honor those who serve our country.
For more information please call Peggy Harden at 912.748.8888 ext. 103
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| Museum Gift Store |
June 21 is Father's Day, honor that special man in your life.
All Neck Ties 10% Off the month of June.
Flag Day, June 14; is a day for Americans to celebrate and show respect for our Flag. In honor of Flag Day all Flags are 20% Off from June 1 - 14.
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| Dear Diary
by Vivian Roger-Price |
During World War II Eighth Air Force veteran John Cunningham served int he 445th Bomb Group, 703rd Bomb Squadron as a top turret gunner and flight engineer and then he and his crew were transferred to the Fifteenth Air Force. He kept a diary recording his thoughts about the members of his crew or to use John's words "it's component parts." As part of the original cadre of the 445th, they fly to England in a B-24 following the southern route and were the second aircraft to land at Tibenham on the 17 of November, 1943. John observed, "What a mud hole. I was altogether in favor of taking off again." He flew his first mission on December 16, 1943 and was "just a little, shall we say concerned as to my health. Much to my surprise I got back in one piece." John flew with the 445th BG until he and his crew were transferred to the Fifteenth Air Force, 376th Bomb Group in March of 1944, completing his tour with the 376th Bomb Group.
John Cunningham recently donated his original diary to the Roger A. Freeman Eighth Air Force Research Center at the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum. This treasured diary now joins John's book, When the Last teardrop Falls, as well as a sculpture of him by Jacques M. Rousseau here at the museum's research center. We thank him for helping to make this research center a fabulous collection of the Eighth Air Force history
John Cunningham holds his diary, the Jacques M. Rousseau sculpture of him on the counter, an his wife, Rose Cunningham stands next to him. She serves as a member of the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum's Board of Trustees and is the author of Joi de Vivre that tells of her family's escape from the Nazis to the southern France and then Cuba, her marriage to John, and her accomplishments as a US foreign consul to Cost Rica, and beyond. |
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Join the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum today! |
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Become a Member of one of the worlds most powerul Museum's.
If you are passionate about America, if you believe that preserving
traditions, loyalty, democracy, and freedom are more important
than ever, and if you appreciate the sacrifice of the men and
women who continue to defend our freedom today, then you
need to become a member of the
Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum today!
Select from one of 10 different Membership Levels!
Discounts at the Museum Gift Store.
Unlimited admission for one year.
Dine in the Museum's restaurant.
For more info and to join please click on the link below
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| Tell Us What You Think! |
You are very important to us. We have created a short survey to help us improve membership privileges and encourage others to join. Please take a moment to answer the questions and offer suggestions. We are open to ideas and want to hear from you. Click here to begin the survey. | |
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