The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force will be transforming its Memorial Garden and Chapel areas into a sea of WWII-era 48-Star U.S. flags to honor the U.S. Eighth Air Force airmen killed during WWII. This special Memorial Day Weekend tribute will recognize the 26,000 young American men and women who lost their lives in defense of their Nation in the war-torn skies over Europe from 1942-1945. 

Each flag represents a name, a family, a story of life, service, duty, honor, and courage.

Flags for the Fallen will provide a visible reminder and place of deep reflection on the ultimate sacrifice of not only the young airmen of the Eighth, but all American heroes who gave their lives in service to our country.  

This inaugural Flags for the Fallen memorial tribute coincides with the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force’s 25th Anniversary and represents a tangible way visitors can commemorate Memorial Day and its meaning to our Nation. The Museum first opened its doors on May 14, 1996.

Over the five days of Flags for the Fallen, the Museum will be conducting several special programs highlighting the Museum's Mission of memorial remembrance and reflection.

According to President and CEO of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Scott Loehr, “I am honored to make this announcement in conjunction with the Museum’s 25th Anniversary as it was our museum founders’ (many of them WWII Mighty Eighth Veterans) fervent desire that the sacrifices made by their fallen comrades not be forgotten.  We hope that the 26,000 Flags for the Fallen will provide visitors with a physical reminder of the unprecedented sacrifice made by the young men and women of the Eighth Air Force. These individuals displayed all the virtues and character traits of the Greatest Generation.”

Further information about the Flags for the Fallen project can be found at www.mightyeighth.org/flagsforthefallen and on the Museum’s Facebook page.