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     Mission Update!                               December 2014
     National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force 
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Let the Mighty 8th be a part of your Legacy 
Victory
For more information about Planned Gifts and the Mighty Eighth Foundation, please contact Pam Vining
Legacy of Honor 
National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force Legacy of Honor program
WWII Veteran
Please help us keep admission free for World War II Veterans by donating $10 to the "Legacy of Honor Program" Follow the link below to make your donation. 
Flying Fortress 5K

Thanks to everyone who came out to support the Flying Fortress 5K: 
Join the Charge! Check out these great photos from the race thanks 
to Savannah Morning News SavannahNow.com 
Pearl Harbor Remembrance 
 Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day: December 7, 2014

The Fleet Reserve Association, JJ Burke Branch 215, and the Savannah Council of the Navy League will be hosting the Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony. The service will be held on Sunday, December 7, 2014 at 2pm in the Lewis E. Lyle Rotunda. It is free and open to the public, everyone is encouraged to come. 
Calendar
Honor Tree
christmas tree
Each year, the museum displays the "Honor Tree" in the Rotunda. The giant lighted tree is filled with photographs of both veterans and active duty military. 

To honor your loved one who is currently serving in the military or is a veteran, send us a picture by email marketing@mightyeighth.org or mail a copy of the photo (the photograph will not be returned) to the Museum: 175 Bourne Ave, Pooler GA 31322 ATTN: Honor Tree. 

Please be sure to include the name of the servicemen and his or her rank and branch of the service.
 
Turn Your Holiday Shopping into Donations! 

Turn Your Holiday Shopping into 

Donations for the Mighty Eighth!

 

Amazon is no longer issuing grants to 501 (c)3 organizations.  They are now donating a portion of all individual sales to nonprofit organizations if the customer shops through Amazon Smile, the Amazon webpage supporting this new initiative.  The idea is simple - you shop on Amazon Smile and they donate a portion of the proceeds to the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force.

  

 How does it work?

 

1. Visit  http://smile.amazon.com/  and log in with your Amazon account username and password (or if you don't have one, set up an account)

 

2. Select the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force as your charity

 

3. Whenever you shop Amazon in the future, shop smile.amazon.com/  (you will see the Museum's name in the header!)

 

4. And then every eligible purchase you make on Amazon Smile will result in a donation!


 5. Save http://smile.amazon.com/ as a favorite for future purchases

 

So, if you would like an easy way to help fund the Museum this holiday season, please visit http://smile.amazon.com/ch/58-1877044 or click on the Amazon Smile icon above to select the Museum as your Amazon Smile charity.  The Museum will receive a portion of all purchases through Amazon Smile.  If you do not shop on Amazon but would still like to make a tax-deductible donation, please donate HERE!  

 

If you have any questions, please contact Meghan Lowe at 912-988-1847 or 

mlowe@mightyeighth.org

Museum Store


 

We hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends.    Now its time for Christmas, Chanukah and Kwanzaa.

 

Today is Cyber Monday and ALL orders received TODAY will get FREE shipping.

 

We have a great selection of merchandise to please the young and not so young.  If you have a child interested in models, we have e-z builds to the intermediate level.  Building models is a great activity to do with your child.

Consider puzzles, books or cards.

 

Don't forget our great selection of unique gifts from Propellers to A1 Jackets and lots of great stuff in between.

 

During the month of December, all orders $50 or more will receive free shipping.  As always, all orders of $50 or more receive a free 8th tote bag.

 

Enjoy this wonderful time of year.  We would like to thank all of you for your continued support and we look forward to 2015.


 

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

Good luck Jaime
By Jaime Hanna
Museum front
It is with great sadness that I am leaving the museum. I have loved this job more than I can ever say. From my first day as a volunteer, I vowed to someday be an employee here. It took two years of waiting, but eventually I got the opportunity. And what an opportunity it was - the chance to immerse myself in history and be surrounded by those who enjoy it just as much. I have met countless veterans who have inspired me as well as thousands of school children who delighted in hearing the stories of the men of the Eighth.

Probably the best thing though, was getting to know all of the dedicated, hard working volunteers here. There are so many people from all walks of life and from all over the country who have a shared love of this Museum. It has been a privilege to work with you all and I hope our paths cross again.
Feature Volunteer
by Heather Thies

Ed Tavares is our newest Mission Experience volunteer.   Ed began volunteering in the museum about two months ago after moving nearby in South Carolina.  He has a Master of Science in both Aerospace Engineering and Computer Information Systems.  He graduated from University of Notre Dame for both his undergraduate and graduate degrees in Aerospace Engineering.   He spent twenty years in the Army.  He worked at Edwards A.F.B with Aviation Engineering Flight Activity, was in Stuttgart as the Maintenance Officer/Detachment Commander of the Army 394th Aviation Intermediate Maintenance Activity, was Chief of Logistics with the OSD- Strategic Defense Initiative Organization at the Pentagon, and spent many years serving in Virginia for the Army Strategic Defense Command.  There he worked with air defense systems and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel.  After the Army he continued working with air defense systems for TASC in Virginia doing various projects for America's air defense.  Ed soloed as a civilian pilot at sixteen and was an Army trained helicopter and test pilot.  Please stop by and talk with Ed about his interesting career when he volunteers on Thursday afternoons.  

Christmas Eve 1944: Grim Business as Usual for the Mighty Eighth
By Samuel Martin 

At briefing on Christmas Eve 1944, the flyers from the 487th were informed that General Frederick Castle would lead that day's mission. The men were well aware of the rumor that Castle had never led a "milk run" and they hoped this day would be a first. The 487th would be leading the Eighth Air Force on the largest raid of the war. The Eighth's targets included an array of German airfields, marshalling yards and communication centers in support of turning back the German thrust in the Ardennes. The airmen's hopes of a "milk run" proved to be in vain for the Luftwaffe responded in force and with a change of tactics from which the 487th received the full brunt. Instead of waiting for the American air armada to cross over the front lines to German-held territory, German fighters attacked over Allied lines before the rendezvous with American fighter escort. The 487th Group's Mission Report for 24 December 1944 indicates that nine aircraft, including Castle's, were lost in less than fifteen minutes. Castle posthumously received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions that day. According to the award's citation, Castle's B-17 experienced engine problems and could only remain with the formation if he jettisoned their bomb load to lighten the aircraft. Since they were still over Allied-held Belgium, Castle refused to jeopardize American troops below with their bombs and chose to relinquish the lead position and leave the protection offered by tight formation flying. Once the B-17 became a lone straggler, it came under repeated attack by German fighters. The aircraft received severe damage and at least two of the crew had already been wounded or killed. Castle ordered the crew to bail out while he attempted to keep the aircraft under control. Before Castle could bail out the B-17 went into a spin and plunged to the earth, killing him.

One of the challenges faced by historians is ensuring that any different or new information about an event is examined and addressed. Such is the case with the events relating to the loss of Castle's B-17. On this particular mission, Henry Hughey was operating the ball turret on B-17 43-38028 "High Tailed Lady" that was flying off Castle's left wing and had a clear view of the events that transpired. Hughey recalled: "I had my turret coming around to 6 o'clock. As I came around to 3 o'clock position I saw a 109 go right down through our spotter and another one and another one. . . I continued to turn and I looked at General Fred Castle's airplane. We were right off his left wing. I told you if I had the proverbial ten foot pole I could have reached out and touched his airplane. The number 3 engine was on fire."
The landing gear on Castle's B-17 was lowered and then retracted probably as a signal for the deputy lead aircraft to move to the lead position. Castle then pulled away from the formation. According to Hughey, although Castle had previously reported problems with their number 1 engine, battle damage, not engine trouble, forced Castle to leave the formation. "He did have engine trouble alright. When you get an engine that is full of 20 millimeter German cannon shells you have engine problems. It was on fire." Moments later a large group of fighters approached the formation. Many of the airmen believed that their fighter escort was arriving in the nick of time. Hughey wondered aloud over the intercom why the fighters had their landing lights blinking. Seconds later the answer came: they didn't. The fighters were German and the "lights" were from the fusillade of cannon and machine gun fire that
shredded the 487th Bomb Group. 

While the details of an event often differ among witnesses, they also provide additional perspectives that allow historians to relate the event with better accuracy. In the case of the 487th on 24 December 1944, Hughey's perspective underscores the ferocity of the attacks made by the Luftwaffe against the group that day. At one point during the engagement, Hughey's pilot asked him to report how the low squadron looked. Hughey replied: "Low squadron, hell, you don't have one." Most of the low squadron's aircraft were gone. As for Brig. Gen. Castle, he is remembered as the gentle hero whose awarding of the Medal of Honor would have been a tribute to the brave men who perished with him that Christmas Eve.

Portion of the 487th formation assignments and indicating aircraft lost (circled).Bomb Group's Mission Report for 24 December 1944 showing
Miss Sophie: Taking a closer look at sweet potatoes
by Teri Bell
miss sophie aka teri bell

One thing my parents are going to miss living in the "big city" of Savannah is garden fresh vegetables. My parents weren't farmers, but since they owned a funeral home in a small town, they knew a lot of farmers and had helped many of them through great times of sorrow. It wasn't unusual for a farmer to show up at their house or the funeral home with a bag full of what was in season.

 

One day a couple of weeks ago, Daddy said, "We've been getting really good sweet potatoes from Kroger. They're not stringy at all." A statement only a true connoisseur of garden fresh sweet potatoes would understand. He is referring to the long fibrous strings that are so commonplace now that we don't even think about them. These "strings" come from growing a potato in soil that is too fertile. The potato is a root and roots store nutrients. Grown in soil that is too fertile, sweet potato vines will grow fast and big and the result is long stringy roots (or potatoes).


 

Certain varieties are less fibrous than others, but I haven't seen a store disclose what variety of sweet potato they stock, and I would bet even a store attendant wouldn't be able to tell you the variety.

 

So now that you know all sweet potatoes aren't created equal, you'll probably notice when you get a particularly stringy one. To avoid stringy potatoes, choose the short, plump ones instead of the long skinny ones, and don't buy the biggest ones

 

I haven't always been a fan of sweet potatoes. In fact I didn't start eating them until a few years ago, when I became more conscious about the health benefits my foods provide. Sweet potatoes are a type of super food. The orange flesh is high in fiber, beta carotene and other antioxidants that fight off all those free radicals floating around us all day.

 

Interesting enough, sweet potatoes contain a protein hormone that helps regulate insulin levels. That protein hormone and the high fiber content of a sweet potato make them a much better option than a white potato for people who are trying to regulate their insulin levels.

Sweet potatoes have some anti-inflammatory nutrients also, which anyone over 50 can certainly appreciate! My favorite discovery while researching the sweet potato was that it is important to have some fat with your sweet potatoes!

 

I knew fat had to be good for something, and in this case, it helps with the absorption of beta carotene into the blood stream. Of course the recommended fat is olive oil, but I'm going to use the statement to justify my slathering a hot baked sweet potato with a whole lot of butter.

 

Everyone has an opinion about the best way to cook a sweet potato. I usually microwave them

- just because I'm in a hurry - but baking them caramelizes the sugars and makes them so much sweeter. If you're eating sweet potatoes for your health, boiling and steaming help retain the nutrients better than other cooking methods.

I don't think I could ever tire of a baked sweet potato with a lot of butter. But just in case your family might, here are some creative ways to change it up a bit from time to time.

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

 

Go to sophiesmarketplace.com.

 

BOURBON CRANBERRY SWEET POTATOES

4 pounds Sweet Potatoes, washed

1 cup fresh cranberries (or Craisins for a sweeter taste)

¾ cup brown sugar

¼ cup butter

1/3 cup bourbon

Bake or microwave whole, unpeeled sweet potatoes until fork tender. Set aside until cool enough to handle.

Meanwhile, add butter, sugar and bourbon to a sauce pan. Heat, until butter and sugar are melted. Add cranberries and cook 2-3 minutes longer.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cut cooled sweet potatoes crosswise into inch thick slices and arrange in a shallow 3 quart glass baking dish. Pour brown sugar mixture and cranberries over potatoes. Bake uncovered 20 minutes or until hot. Serve immediately spooning sauce over potatoes.

 

SWEET POTATO GRATINS

These make a great presentation for a special meal

3 medium sweet potatoes sliced thin (1/8 inch)

¼ cup brown sugar

1 tablespoon butter

4 tablespoons pecans, finely chopped

½ cup whole milk

¼ teaspoon cinnamon

 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease a 12 cup muffin tin well. In a small saucepan, melt butter and brown sugar. Divide butter mixture evenly between muffin tins. Sprinkle pecans on top of butter mixture. Stack thin slices of sweet potatoes to the top of tin. Stir milk & cinnamon together. Evenly divide milk mixture between muffin tins. Bake until potatoes 25-30 minutes or until potatoes are fork tender.

 

MASHED SWEET POTATOES

Studies suggest the best way to get the most nutrients out of a sweet potato is to boil or steam them. Imagine, a mashed potato that is good for you!

4 medium sized sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed

1 teaspoon salt

½ cup half & half

½ cup butter

½ cup maple syrup

In a large Dutch oven, cover potatoes with water, add salt and bring to a boil. Boil until potatoes are fork tender 20-25 minutes. Drain and return to pot, add butter and whip with a hand mixer. Add half and half a little at a time to get the consistency you desire. Stir in maple syrup. Serve immediately.

Tell us what you think!
Winged 8
You are very important to us. Your comments and suggestions are welcome and encouraged. 
National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force | 912.748.8888 | m8afnews@mightyeighth.org | http://www.mightyeighth.org
175 Bourne Avenue
(I-95 at Exit 102)
Pooler, GA 31322