POOLER - The Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum is gearing up to host the inaugural "Flying Fortress 5K Run" on Saturday, Nov. 6, at 8:30 a.m., which will benefit the restoration of the museum's B-17 bomber, City of Savannah.
Runners will begin the 5K course at the museum and wind their way through the sprawling campus of fellow neighbor JCB, ending back at the museum. Registration is $25 and will include a discounted price to those who register in advance.
In 2009, The Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum welcomed its very own World War II Flying Fortress B-17 Bomber. The plane was transported from a storage hanger at the National Air and Space Museum to its permanent home inside the museum's Combat Gallery.
"We are diligently working to preserve an incredible piece of American history," said Jane Harper, this year's 5k event chairperson from the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum. "It only makes sense to involve the community in our quest for the restoration of this beautiful plane. We all have a stake in safeguarding these precious artifacts that played such an important role in our past."
The Mighty Eighth named its B-17 bomber City of Savannah in honor of another B-17 bomber that left from Hunter Army Air Field in Savannah and flew bombing missions over Germany during World War II. The City of Savannah is currently in the process of being restored to its wartime configuration. The bomber will remain on permanent display inside the Museum following the restoration.
"The Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum honors the Mighty Eighth's proud legacy by preserving the stories of courage, character and patriotism displayed by the men and women of the Eighth Air Force from World War II to the present," said Harper. "Activated in 1942 in Savannah, Georgia, the Eighth Air Force was an important strike element in World War II and remains an active force today.
"The Flying Fortress 5K Run" is sponsored by Fleet Feet Sports Savannah, located at 3405 Waters Avenue, www.fleetfeetsavannah.com. Additional sponsors and donations are welcome. For more information on how to become a sponsor or to make a donation, please contact Jane Harper at jharper@mightyeighth.org or 912-748-8888 ext. 107.
Runners will begin the 5K course at the museum and wind their way through the sprawling campus of fellow neighbor JCB, ending back at the museum. Registration is $25 and will include a discounted price to those who register in advance.
In 2009, The Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum welcomed its very own World War II Flying Fortress B-17 Bomber. The plane was transported from a storage hanger at the National Air and Space Museum to its permanent home inside the museum's Combat Gallery.
"We are diligently working to preserve an incredible piece of American history," said Jane Harper, this year's 5k event chairperson from the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum. "It only makes sense to involve the community in our quest for the restoration of this beautiful plane. We all have a stake in safeguarding these precious artifacts that played such an important role in our past."
The Mighty Eighth named its B-17 bomber City of Savannah in honor of another B-17 bomber that left from Hunter Army Air Field in Savannah and flew bombing missions over Germany during World War II. The City of Savannah is currently in the process of being restored to its wartime configuration. The bomber will remain on permanent display inside the Museum following the restoration.
"The Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum honors the Mighty Eighth's proud legacy by preserving the stories of courage, character and patriotism displayed by the men and women of the Eighth Air Force from World War II to the present," said Harper. "Activated in 1942 in Savannah, Georgia, the Eighth Air Force was an important strike element in World War II and remains an active force today.
"The Flying Fortress 5K Run" is sponsored by Fleet Feet Sports Savannah, located at 3405 Waters Avenue, www.fleetfeetsavannah.com. Additional sponsors and donations are welcome. For more information on how to become a sponsor or to make a donation, please contact Jane Harper at jharper@mightyeighth.org or 912-748-8888 ext. 107.