CAF Airbase Georgia Joins Pearl Harbor 80th Anniversary Commemoration
PEACHTREE CITY, GA. (Nov. 30, 2021)– Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Airbase Georgia is joining with The Museum of History and Holocaust Education at Kennesaw State University and Redwood Educational Technologies, to offer several digital opportunities for students, teachers, and the public to remember the 80th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack this December. CAF Airbase Georgia is contributing a video segment that will introduce students to the World War II flying museum’s replica Japanese Kate torpedo bomber and restored U.S. Navy Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bomber. Students, teachers, and the public are invited to participate in Women Pilots as WAFS/WASP: Courage in the Clouds and Beyond, a live, 60-minute panel discussion at 1 p.m. EST on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021. The program features the life of Cornelia Fort (1919-1943) and the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP). Cornelia was a civilian flight instructor who was flying in the skies over Pearl Harbor as the attack began on Dec. 7, 1941 and was likely one of the first to realize Pearl Harbor was under attack. She later would become a member of the Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS). In 1943, the WAFS became part of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP).
The panelists are: • Chloe Fort, Cornelia Fort’s niece • Lisa Taylor, President and CEO of the National WASP WWII Museum in Sweetwater, Texas • Alexis Stallings, Registrar/Collections Manager at the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum in Honolulu, Hawaii. • Sarah Bryn Rickman, award-winning author of several books on the WASP
Judith Stanford Miller, founder and editor of Redwood Educational Technologies, will moderate the panel. Students and teachers can access the free digital resources and register for the panel discussion through the Museum of History and Holocaust Education’s website at: https://historymuseum.kennesaw.edu/.
“Female pilots in the 1930s broke through the clouds to reach the stars,” Miller said. “Little did they know they would be called upon to provide vitally important service during World War II. As authors, journalists, and curators continue to bring their amazing stories to life in the 21st century, it’s our duty to honor this history by passing it down to the next generation.”
“We are privileged to include a taped segment featuring actual aircraft that are housed in our museum hangar,” said CAF Airbase Georgia leader Jim Buckley. “Our mission in restoring and operating historic aircraft is to educate and honor the men and women of the ‘Greatest Generation’ and inspire future pilots, aviation mechanics and citizens.”
About the Museum of History and Holocaust Education at Kennesaw State University The Museum of History and Holocaust Education at Kennesaw State University presents public events, exhibits and educational resources focused on World War II and the Holocaust (and related topics) to promote education and dialogue about the past and its significance today. For more information, go to https://historymuseum.kennesaw.edu/.
About Redwood Educational Technologies Redwood Educational Technologies, based in Toledo, Ohio, develops original content connecting dots between literature, current events, and student engagement to improve student achievement. For more information, go to www.redwoodedtech.com.
About the CAF Airbase Georgia Warbird Museum The CAF Airbase Georgia, based in Peachtree City, Ga., was founded in 1987. The Airbase, one of the largest units of the Commemorative Air Force, maintains and flies seven WWII aircraft including a P-51 Mustang, an FG-1D Corsair and rare types such as the SBD Dauntless dive bomber and P-63A Kingcobra. The unit, composed of 400 volunteers, is part of the CAF, a tax-exempt organization that relies on contributions of time and funds to carry out its mission. Membership is open to everyone ages 18 years and older. For more information, go to https://airbasegeorgia.org.
