President's Message
by Mary Pennebaker Truitt

Summer, 2005

It is once again the dog days of summer at the museum with the temperatures in Arizona averaging 108 degrees during the day. Even though the attendance at the Museum during these extremely hot days drops off, projects continue to unfold at the museum. Eleven of the nose art posters for the south wall have been finished and look great. The Museum is still taking donations for this exhibit as well as others.

Don Brooks’ B-17, “Liberty Belle” is currently flying around the country and has a busy schedule this summer. It is truly special to have a B-17 flying with the colors of the 390th and the “J” displayed on the tail. Check the web site for the touring schedule of the “Liberty Belle” at www.libertyfoundation.org and also sign up as a member to support the foundation.

One of the projects of the Museum is to collect stories and experiences of the veterans of the 390th. Last year we asked Ray McFalone to speak at the Veterans’ Reunion in Tucson about the Veterans History Project and about recording stories in general. As part of the 2005 Museum reunion activities, we asked Ray McFalone to come to Tucson and interview veterans. Because 12 veterans were taped in just two days and more wanted to be interviewed, we asked the Veteran’s Association if we could invite Ray McFalone to Washington DC to continue taping our veterans. Ray McFalone will be available to record your story at no charge beginning Tuesday, September 20th through Saturday, September 24th. Your videotape will be placed in the 390th Museum and you will be given a free copy of the tape. If the veteran gives permission, a copy will also be submitted to the Library of Congress Veterans History Project. We encourage veterans from all areas of the 390th group to be taped. Please bring photographs of your time in service which can be added to the videotape. Ray McFalone has become so attached to the Museum that recently he became a member of the Museum. My husband Jim and I will be manning the scheduling table for taping sessions and look forward to seeing you in Washington DC.