November is here and it's time to start thinking about gift giving. Do you have someone on your list that loves DVDs?  Let us suggest "Americans on the Road to Victory".  You will enjoy 122 hours of WWII battlefield tours.  In this 3 DVD set you will follow GIs from the beaches of D-Day, up Hell's Highway and into the frozen forests of the Battle of the Bulge.  This set is a collector's edition with a challenge coin, 3 DVDs and campaign maps.

Everyone needs a calendar!  Order our B17 or B 24 calendar for only $14.99! 

Our jackets and the ladies' fleece are selling well.  Either would make a great gift and will surely keep you warm.   We have a great selection of propellers.  These propellers are unique and would look great in a den or office.  If you're looking for something for your desk, check out our airplane clocks.

During the month of November all flags are 20% off.  Get yours for Veterans Day.

Don't forget Cyber Monday is December 1st!   All orders placed on Cyber Monday receive FREE shipping.

Shop the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force Online Store Today! 

Al Pela has been a volunteer for eight years.  Although he was born on the campus of Texas A&M he was the black sheep of the family and attended Mississippi State. After graduation he worked for Mobil and Exxon in America and overseas. Al became involved with the museum as a tour guide because his father Albert Pela Sr. served in the 8th AF as a tail and waist gunner with the 100th Bomb Group.  His father was shot down and held as a POW in Stalag Luft IV until they were evacuated in February 1945, forced to march seven hundred miles west and finally liberated in late April 1945.  Al was lucky that his father was willing to speak about his WWII experiences and during his tours Al brings a great perspective of WWII 8th AF life through the eyes of his father.  You will find Al guiding adult and student tours, working in the mission experience and on the Board of the Birthplace Chapter of the 8th AF Historical Society. His wife Louise works in the Gift Shop or at the Admission desk.  

The formation of the United States Strategic Air Forces in Europe (USSTAF) was one of several important changes that were implemented around the beginning of 1944 to better prosecute the air war against Germany.  The organization of the Mediterranean Allied Air Forces (MAAF), and especially the creation of the Fifteenth Air Force as the strategic arm of the MAAF, served as a major catalyst for restructuring the upper command echelon that directed the strategic bombing in the European theater.  The Fifteenth Air Force, officially organized on 1 November 1943, incorporated the heavy bomb groups from the Twelfth Air Force as well as units originally designated for England, and was primarily formed to carry out the POINTBLANK objectives of destroying the Luftwaffe in preparation for D-Day.  Unity of command through USSTAF would maximize the advantages of having two strategic air forces operating in conjunction to strike targets available to both as well as targets that were out of range of either the Eighth or the Fifteenth.  Furthermore, the Combined Bomber Offensive (CBO) had originally been placed under the supervision of the Chief of Air Staff, RAF, who operated as a deputy for the American Combined Chiefs of Staff (CCS).  Under USSTAF, the overall American air commander in the European Theater would now be elevated to a position equivalent to those held by Air Chief Marshal Harris of RAF Bomber Command and General Eisenhower, and directly responsible to the CCS.  Once the reorganization under USSTAF took effect in December, Carl Spaatz took command of USSTAF.  Administratively, the former Eighth Air Force Headquarters now became USSTAF Headquarters and VIII Bomber Command essentially became the new Eighth Air Force Headquarters.  This restructuring was also accompanied by key leadership changes:  Ira Eaker was transferred to command the new MAAF and James Doolittle took over command of the Eighth Air Force.  USSTAF remained in operation for the remainder of the European phase of the war. 

Understanding USSTAF's role is important for researching daylight strategic bombing topics, especially covering the years 1944 and 1945.  USSTAF message traffic serves as a nerve center for following the daily operational reports for the Eighth, Ninth, Twelfth, Fifteenth, and later the First Tactical Air Force (Provisional).  The collection of resources at the Roger A. Freeman Research Center at the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force includes USSTAF incoming message traffic for February 1945 through April 1945.  In addition to the operational reports, USSTAF message traffic also includes daily target information updates from the Combined Strategic Targets Committee, weekly reports on estimated German Air Force disposition, specific target intelligence from reconnaissance sorties, daily reported front line positions for both eastern and western fronts, preliminary bomb damage assessments as well as messages from Eisenhower's headquarters and the War Department.  Whereas USSTAF's inception was intended to ensure that daylight strategic bombing yielded the best possible results against Germany's capability to wage war, the textual records of the organization give today's researcher a rich collection of primary sources through which to study the air war from the top down.

Brigadier General Howard Turner, General Carl Spaatz and Lt. General James Doolittle discuss 8th Air Force operations at 1st Bomb Division Headquarters on 31 March 1945.

by Teri Bell

November is the month for runners in our lovely city.

I'm not a runner. I have vowed to take up running on many different occasions.

I even have started running. I put on the shoes, stretched and took off.

But, then I got all out of breath, my heart was pounding and I was just too tired to go any farther. That was the hardest 100 yards of my life!

And, of course, there is the problem of perspiring. A proper Southern lady just doesn't do that. My sweet friend (and amazing photographer) Kay has posted some really great pictures on Facebook of runners. Her son is a member of the cross-country team at Savannah Arts Academy, (which is, by the way, having a fantastic year!) so she has been to her share of races this year. She posts these beautiful pictures of sunbeams peeking through the trees as young men and women race by, their hair blowing in the wind and peaceful determination etched on their faces. It makes me just want to get out there and do that!

The truth is, knowing a couple of runners and maybe helping out at one or two charity runs is about as close as I will get to actually running. I admire Savannah runners, not just for their athletic ability and determination, but for their part in raising thousands of dollars for nonprofits and charities.

The first run of November is the Woof Woof Run taking place this Saturday, Nov. 1, with proceeds going to help fund pet cancer research and educate people about pet cancer.

Of course the next week, Nov. 8, is the running event of the year, the Rock 'n' Roll Savannah Marathon. In addition to raising funds for charities, this run brings in big tourist dollars for our beautiful city!

On Nov. 15, the Trail of Hope run raises funds for the pro-life adoption services of Covenant Care, a charity near and dear to my heart. I have personally witnessed the joy they bring to a couple's life through their adoption program - a worthy cause for running for any day of the week.

Then the next weekend, Nov. 22, another nonprofit that I am personally involved with, The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, is having its fifth annual Flying Fortress 5K. Proceeds from this run help the many volunteers and staff members of the museum maintain the history of the Eighth Air Force, which was formed here in Savannah on Jan. 8, 1942.

Since Miss Sophie's is located inside the Mighty Eighth, I have the "inside" scoop on this nonprofit, and I can assure you the staff and the many volunteers are wholly dedicated to maintaining and sharing this great piece of history with past, present and future generations.

Whew, all this run talk is making me tired! If you want more information on any of these events, you can find links to them all on fleetfeetsavannah.com.

In honor of November running month, I thought I would share some energy recipes. Running or not, these tasty boosts of energy will keep you going!

Teri Bell is co-owner of Miss Sophie's Marketplace at the Mighty Eighth in Pooler. Go to sophiesmarketplace.com.

WHEAT RASPBERRY-FIG BARS

1/3 cup vegetable shortening, (I use butter or 1/3 cup margarine)

1 cup packed brown sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon orange zest

1 pinch salt

FIG FILLING

1 (8 ounce) packages dried figs, stems removed

4 oz fresh or frozen Raspberries

2/3 cup water

3 tablespoons lemon juice or 3 tablespoons orange juice

3 tablespoons granulated sugar ( I use splenda)

Preheat oven to 375°F.

In a large bowl, beat together shortening, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla until creamy.

Add all purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking soda, baking powder, orange peel and salt, beating until blended.

Refrigerate dough 1 to 2 hours.

Prepare fig filling and set aside, see below.

On a floured surface, roll dough into 14 inch square.

Cut dough into 4 equal strips, each 14 inches long and 3 1/2 inches wide.

Spoon 1/4 of fig filling in a 1 1/2 inch wide mound down center of each strip.

Using a long spatula, lift sides of each dough strip over filling, overlapping slightly on top.

Press edges together to seal.

Cut strips crosswise in half for ease of handling.

Place, seam side down, 3 inches apart on greased baking sheets.

Brush off any excess flour.

Cut each strip into 7 (1 inch) crosswise pieces, but do not separate.

Bake 13 to 15 minutes or until puffed and firm to the touch.

Cool 5 to 10 minutes on baking sheets; then cut apart and remove to racks to cool completely.

For Fig Filling

1. In a medium saucepan, combine figs, raspberries, water, lemon or orange juice and granulated sugar.

2. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally.

3. Reduce heat and simmer 5 to 10 minutes or until thickened, stirring occasionally; cool.

NO BAKE ENERGY BALLS

These can be made into bars, but shaped into balls they become a quick bite of energy.

1 cup rolled oats

1 cup coconut flakes

½ cup ground flax seeds

½ cup mini chocolate chips

½ cup raisins

½ cup peanut butter

1/3⅓ cup honey

1 tsp Vanilla

1. In a medium bowl, add oatmeal, coconut flakes, flax seed, mini chocolate chips and raisins.

2. In a separate small bowl, whisk peanut butter, honey and vanilla.

3. Pour oatmeal mixture into peanut butter mixture, combine until thoroughly incorporated.

4. Let chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

5. Roll into balls.

Store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 1 week.

PUMPKIN POWER BALLS

1 cup pumpkin puree or canned pumpkin

1 cup rolled oats

10-12 dates (pits removed)

1/4 tablespoons dried cranberries

2 tablespoons chia seeds

2 tablespoons sunflower seeds

1 tsp cinnamon

1. In a food processor, combine the pumpkin, oats, seeds, sunflower seeds, cinnamon.

2. Add the dates the dates and pulse until well blended

3. Add in the cranberries and pulse until well blended.

4. Roll the mixture into balls and place on the lined baking sheet in the fridge.