DAYTON, Ohio — A celebration of our nation’s military veterans will be the focus of film presentations in the Air Force Museum’s giant screen theatre on Saturday, Nov. 8.
The Reel Stuff Salute to Heroes will feature five screenings followed by a distinguished speaker, including three decorated World War II and Vietnam combat veterans on stage to share their experiences with the audience.
General admission or full-day passes are available by emailing [email protected] or by calling 937-253-4629. Proceeds from the event will allow the non-profit Air Force Museum Foundation to help support entertainment and educational programs for patrons throughout the year.
The Reel Stuff Salute to Heroes begins at noon with a one-hour episode of Living History, a yet-to-be-broadcast public television program highlighting immersive World War II-era aerial bombing and paratroop training experiences.
The film will be introduced by Reel Stuff Aviation Resources founder, Ron Kaplan, and followed by guest speaker and WWII veteran, Army Sargent Don “Jake” Jakeway. As a member of the famed 82nd Airborne Division, Jakeway jumped into Normandy on June 6, 1944, and again into Holland during “Operation Market Garden”, and fought in the Battle of the Bulge until being shot by a German sniper.
Paired with the screening of Living History will be the acclaimed giant screen 3D film, D-Day: Normandy 1944, also followed by Jakeway’s comments, a Q&A session with the audience, and a book signing of Jakeway’s WWII memoirs, Paratroopers: Do or Die.
At 3 p.m. filmmakers Jon Tennyson and Scott Guyette will introduce the first documentary in their new Voices of Valor series, titled To Fly and Fight: An American Life – a biopic on retired Air Force Col. C. E. “Bud” Anderson. This documentary recently earned its producers the prestigious National Aviation Hall of Fame (NAHF) 2014 Combs Gates Award.
Anderson is a WWII triple ace and Vietnam fighter-bomber pilot, former test-pilot and 2008 enshrinee of the NAHF. Following the screening, Anderson will speak of his 30-year service experiences and sign copies of his memoir, titled To Fly and Fight: Memoirs of a Triple Ace, on which the documentary is based.
The 5 p.m. screening showcases another award-winning documentary, In the Shadow of the Blade. The film follows a restored Bell UH-1 “Huey” helicopter on a cross-country journey to hear the untold stories of Vietnam veterans and their families. Vietnam War combat veteran, Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 James E. “Jim” Miller, will speak afterward of his experiences flying the iconic Huey into battle with the 336th Assault Helicopter Company, followed by Q&A with the audience.
The Reel Stuff Salute to Heroes will conclude with a 7:30 p.m. screening of the 1987 feature film, Good Morning Vietnam, the comedy-drama for which the late actor, Robin Williams, was nominated for an Academy Award.
With Veterans Day being officially celebrated just days later on Nov. 11, the Reel Stuff Salute to Heroes is an educational opportunity for those of all ages to meet these decorated servicemen and see their stories on the largest theatre screen in Southwest Ohio, located in the largest military aviation museum – The National Museum of the U. S. Air Force. General admission tickets for individual screenings are $8-$15 per person. Full-day passes, good for all screenings, are available for $35.