NEXT MEETING: February 3, 2012.
Doors open at 10:00 A.M. for socializing (1 and 1/4 hours before start of general meeting.).
Meetings Are Free. Meetings are open to everyone. There is no cost to attend. You do not have to be a member in order to attend a meeting.
Ben started off in ground support maintenance but ended up being trained as a bomber pilot under the Tuskegee program - where both pilots, ground crew (and other support staff) were trained as a separate distinct combat unit (only the fighter group ever saw combat, the war ended while the bomber group was still being trained to fly B-26s in Kentucky) will be the presenter at the chapter meeting.
The Tuskegee Airmen as a UNIT were awarded a Congressional Gold Medal April 11, 2006. Each member may be presented with a replica when the act is approved by Congress, ( or you can purchase your own bronze replica that you can buy from the National Mint http://www.usmint.gov/mint_programs/medals/ ), but there is only a single true Congressional Gold Medal normally.
This is the same for any group award of the Congressional Gold Medal (like the CGM awarded to the Women Airforce Service Pilots of WWII (‘WASP’) on July 1, 2009.)
List of all awardees and short history at: http://history.house.gov/Institution/Gold-Medal/Gold-Medal-Recipients/
LUNCH: A hot meal is available for purchase at the meeting for $13.00 which includes gratuity.
Meeting ends at 2 PM.
| Beaverton Elks Lodge |
| 3500 SW 104th Avenue |
| Beaverton, Oregon 97005-1941 |
| http://www.beavertonelks.org/ |
The building is at the end of 104th Avenue, which is one block past Budget Car Rental after you have turned onto 104th Avenue off of Canyon Road (Highway 8) in Beaverton. (See 8th AFHS meeting directions page)
This non-profit organization is a great way to learn about the 8th Air Force in its roll in defeating Germany during World War II. The meeting is valuable to anyone interested in the history of WWII air combat.
People interested in learning more about the 8thAF, or to pass on what they know to others concerning the 8th AF contribution and other aviation unit histories that brought victory to the Allies in the European theatre of war (ETO) or other combat theatres, are encouraged to join the Oregon Chapter. Please fill out a membership form at the meeting.
The annual dues is $15. In addition, you can join the national organization whose dues are $25 a year. The national chapter puts out a quarterly magazine while the Oregon chapter puts out a quarterly newsletter plus a monthly news update.
There are currently 65 members who flew combat missions during WW II. We have members from the 15th, 10th, 12th, 8th, and 5th AF, and members who flew combat in the Navy, Marines, and Air Force from WW II, Korea, thru Vietnam, and the minor wars in-between.
To join the Oregon Chapter fill out the application form and present it to the treasurer. The form can also be picked up at the meeting.
All images and documents © Copyright 2013 by Oregon 8th AFHS unless otherwise noted.