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 January 2010
Mission Update! News from the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum |
Vol 1, Issue 2
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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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Upcoming Museum events in 2010
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Children's Model Airplane Building Class
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Super Museum Sunday
Sunday, February 7, 2010
If you are in or around Savannah on this date you are in for a real treat! Admission to the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum is free all day. Mark your Calendar!
The US Army Strings Saturday, March 27, 2010 2:00 PM
Savannah Music Festival and the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum present The U.S. Army Strings in a FREE concert for the entire family. Please call 912-234-3378 ext. 111 for reservations.
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| Pooler Fire Department Accepts Toys for Children |
 Tameka Ford with Pooler Fire Dept. Toy drive
Each year the Pooler Fire Department holds a toy drive to benefit Pooler families. The mission for the toy drive is to collect unwrapped toys and distribute them to families in the community. The Museum's staff volunteers, and visitors generously donate toys each year. |
| Sending Holiday Cheer Overseas |
 1st Sgt. Brooks and Sgt. Mundt with holiday packages
This holiday season the Museum selected a troop of local heroes, the Bravo Co. 1st of the 169th of the Air National Guard to send 17 care packages.
This company was recently re-deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The Museum's staff, volunteers, and visitors generously donated to this effort. Target of Savannah Mall also contributed to this special project. |
| Holiday Model Train |
 A G-scale model train with P-51's in transit was custom designed by Charlie & Jackie Ro and donated to the Museum by John O'Neil in loving memory of his father John O'Neil of the 482nd Bomb Group, 8th Air Force. The train travels around the base of our Honor Tree in the Rotunda. |
| New Admission Rate |
 The Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum has added a new discounted admission rate for all active duty military and their families.
Seniors (60+) $ 9
Adult (13-59) $10
Active Duty $ 6
Children (6-12) $ 6
Children under 6 Free
Please show active Military ID to our admissions desk to receive this new rate! |
| Biggest Little Christmas Party |
 The Mighty Eighth Events Department's Biggest Little Christmas Party was sensational. Over 240 guests from 6 various small businesses enjoyed an evening full of holiday cheer. Guests dined from a delicious holiday buffet by Paul Kennedy Catering followed by dancing the night away. |
| Pearl Harbor Remembrance |
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Photos taken by Thomas Reimer
Over 200 guests filled the Museum's Rotunda to remember the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. The ceremony was held by the Savannah Council Navy League of the United States and the Fleet Reserve Association JJ Burke Branch 215. Pearl Harbor survivors reflected their experiences, World War II veterans were recognized, patriotic songs were provided by a chorus from Benedictine Military School and the service closed with a 21 gun salute along with the playing of Taps. |
| 1 Year Anniversary Special! |
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In celebration of the 1 year anniversary of
The B-17 "City of Savannah"
guests can receive 10% off ALL B-17 merchandise.
We carry shirts, hats, mugs, models and more!
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Bunking In!
A Night at the Museum |
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Experience the Museum at night with a unique tour by Rosie the Riveter, learn the techniques of a bombing mission, explore the combat gallery by flashlight and relax while watching a movie before bedtime.
Next Bunking In:
Feb. 12th & March 19, 2010
For more information please contact Heather Thies or visit our website! |
Thank you!
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Holiday Poinsettia on display in our Rotunda was generously donated by:
Oelschig's Greenhouses |
Museum Staff
Brenda Elmgren
Director of Development
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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 that 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.
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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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1 Year Anniversary of the "City of Savannah" Restoration Project ~ Jan. 15, 2010 |
As we are at the 1 year anniversary of our B-17 Restoration Project, the project will be transitioning from preparing for restoration to the actual restoration of the aircraft. The past year has been focused on the cleaning of the B-17. The outside of the aircraft has been buffed and polished. The days of the past few months have been filled with steam cleaning and strenuous labor efforts on the inside of the aircraft. The interior has undergone a through corrosion inspection. This cleaning is critical as it is preparation for the interior to be re-painted.
 ColdJet was gracious enough to donate the use of one of their machines during the month of December for our project. The ColdJet machine uses dry ice technology for the cleaning of metal. This state of the art technology was used by the restoration team at Wright-Patterson AFB on the Memphis Belle. Lengthy research is being completed to ensure accuracy in this restoration process.
Two display cases have been created and placed under the nose of the B-17 to tell the story of this restoration process to Museum visitors using historical and current materials.
The Museum has expanded to have 4 restoration crews which work Wednesday, Wednesday evening, Friday and Saturday.
 We would like to thank our B-17 Restoration volunteers: Jerry McLaughlin, Jimmy Grismer, Marshall Brooks, Jim Argo, JEB Harper, Chuck Brisbin, Bob Brunn, Bill Burkel, Brooks Crenshaw, Joseph Denapoli, Carl Finney, Tonnie Glick, Mort Glick, Ron Gunnells, Danny Harden, Dewayne Hebert, Bill Liening, Bill Leftwich, Phillip Lajeunesse, Tyson Morrison, Jack Nilsen, David Pinegar, Mary Jo Reed, Ben Ridgdill, Kenneth Rombouts, David Talleur, Steve Ward, Scott Whitcher, Jeremy Wicker, Larry Wilson, Glen Braselton, John Calvert, Joel Hedgpeth, Earl Kallansrud, Scott Latham, Chuck Milton, Matt O'Neil, Gil Patrick, Alberto Rodriguez , Milt Stombler, Dave Urbanski.
A key behind the scenes volunteer is Doug Reed, a professional historian who is researching both the original "City of Savannah" as well as our B-17's history. He has contacted several original crew members from the 1944 "City" as well as the last owner of our aircraft.
The goal of our restoration is to have the B-17, "City of Savannah" restored to its original factory condition.
You can be a part of history and 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 checks payable to "B-17 Project" and mail to:
Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum
P.O. Box 1992
Savannah, GA 31402
If you would like to make a donation by credit card, please call Tameka Ford at
912-748-8888 ext. 101. |
| The Mighty Eighth Store |
The Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum Gift Store is a unique shopping experience. In it you will find everything from clothing, jewelry, and books to models, patches and pins, and collectibles found nowhere else in this area. Click on the link below to begin shopping today.
Mighty Eighth Ladies Black Fleece Jacket $39.99
Mighty Eighth Hoody Sweatshirt $44.99 comes in Smoke Grey or Classic Grey
Mighty Eighth Ladies Ivory Fleece Jacket $44.99 |
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The Garden of Folded Wings
Columbarium |
This magnificent columbarium is located directly behind the Museum Chapel and incorporates beautiful granite surfaces, memorial towers and natural areas, all in a beautiful setting. This is one of the world's most important Columbaria, in the United States and we are proud to honor those who serve our country. For more information please call Peggy Harden at 912-748-8888 ext. 103 or by email at: finance@mightyeighth.org. |
V-2 Shrapnel from 18 March 1945
by Dr. Vivian Rogers Price |
John Weyler removed this shrapnel from a tree in Hyde Park, London following the 18 March 1945 V-2 attack.
Beginning in September 1944 Hitler had a new terror weapon, the V-2, to aim at London and other British cities. These supersonic rockets carried one-ton warheads and rapidly became the most feared weapons yet invented. An 18 March 1945 attack occurred while a 467th Bomb Group aircrew enjoyed their first leave in London. Pilot John Weyler and his co-pilot Dick Beach stayed in a rooming house in central London near Hyde Park. They spent their first day, Saturday March 17th, visiting historic sites. They watched King George VI, Queen Mary, and their two daughters, Elizabeth and Margaret, in a parade and toured some of the bombed areas of London never imagining that they would become witnesses to a V-2 attack. They used their evening to explore the drinking clubs. Then on Sunday morning, March 18th, as they ate breakfast they heard a loud explosion. Running outside and down the street the two blocks to Speakers Corner in Hyde Park, they saw damaged buildings with doors and windows blown out by the blast. Three people were killed. In Hyde Park some trees were uprooted while others as John described it, "were riddled with shrapnel." John dug out one piece of shrapnel from a tree trunk. He kept it until he donated it to the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum in November 2009. |
| Museum Volunteers Fred and Nancy Pye
by Heather Thies |
 Fred and Nancy Pye married in 1956. Fred was drafted into the Army in 1953 and served in the post war occupation of Austria in 1954. After the Army, Fred returned to Illinois and worked for Western Electric. He retired in 1989 as an Engineering Supervisor for AT&T. He began working for a local chapter of the American Red Cross in Geneva, Illinois. Nancy worked as a registered nurse in Mercy Center hospital in Aurora, Illinois beginning in 1976. They moved to Florida in 1994 and later to Rincon, near Savannah, in 2005. They began volunteering at the Mighty Eighth in January 2007. Fred and Nancy both enjoy talking with our extraordinary visitors and learning a little about their lives. They have three children, three grandchildren, three great grand children and one German Shepherd Dog.
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Loss of a Dear Friend
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It is with deep sadness that we pass the following information on to you. 
Mr. John C. (Jack) Young, 91, of Bluffton, SC passed away on Saturday, November 21, 2009 at his home. Mr. Young was a member of the 447th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force and was stationed in England as a Tail Gunner on a B-17 during World War II. He was hit by flak over Germany and spent 13 months as a prisoner of war. He was a Purple Heart recipient.
Mr. Young has supported the Museum since its opening and had volunteered his time twice a week for the past ten years. He was equally supportive of the Eighth Air Force Historical Society. |
| Tell Us What You Think! |
You are very important to us. Your comments and suggestions are welcome and encouraged.
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