September promises to be a big month for the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force. Starting on Thursday, September 15^th at 11:00 AM, Dr. Olavi Arens, History Professor at Georgia Southern, delivers a lecture titled “Russia/Soviet Union in World War II and Historic Memory”. Dr. Olavi Arens has been a Professor of History focusing on Russia and East Central Europe at Georgia Southern University, Armstrong since 1974. His education includes an B.A. in Social Studies – Harvard University; M.A. in History – Columbia University; Ph.D. in Modern East European History – Columbia University; Certificate of Russian Institute – Columbia University.

Saturday, September 17^th at 11:00 AM, we host an Author Talk/Book Signing event. “Ace in a day: The Memoir of an Eighth Air Force Fighter Pilot in World War II – Lt. Col. Wayne Blickenstaff.”  The talk will be delivered by the book’s editor Dr. Graham Cross, the book’s editor, and history professor at Manchester Metropolitan University.  Dr. Cross will be joined by the book’s author Lt Col Wayne Blickenstaff's daughters. “Ace in a Day is Blickenstaff’s honest and gritty personal memoir of his air war in Europe. His vivid writing places you in the cockpit as he and his comrades battle the enemy in the skies or attack ground targets across Europe.” 

Thursday, September 22^nd at 4:00 PM, we are pleased to host “The Holocaust in Poetry and Music”. Poet Holly Mandelkern will read original poetry from her book, Beneath White Stars, and musician, Brendan Nolan, will perform music scored from Ms. Mandelkern’s poetry.  Beneath White Stars will be available for purchase and signing following the reading/musical performance.  Ms. Mandelkern is the daughter of Second Lieutenant Herman Lodinger was a lead bombardier on a B-24 heavy bomber assigned to the 389th Bomb Group. His plane was shot down in July 1944, and he was captured by the Germans and held prisoner until his 1945 liberation. She and her husband established the Herman Lodinger Endowment Fund at the museum.

Admission for these events is free, seating is limited, and registration is required. Contact 912-988-1835or education@mightyeighth.org for details.