Speaker Series
AHMEC Speaker Series
Presentations are from 7 until 8:30 p.m. and cost $10.00 per person. Free to Museum members.
Lew Jennings, 19 Minutes to Live – POSTPONED
19 Minutes to Live illustrates the incredible courage and determination of helicopter pilots and crews supporting those heroes that carried a rucksack and a rifle in Vietnam. Lew Jennings flew over 700 Air Cavalry Cobra Gunship Helicopter missions and received Three Distinguished Flying Crosses for Valor. This memoir describes first-hand the harrowing experiences of helicopter pilots and crews in combat operations, from the far South to the DMZ, including the infamous Ashau Valley, Hamburger Hill, LZ Airborne, and others.
Thursday, September 14, Robert Beggs, The Faith of Our Father
In 1939, Sikorsky designed and flew America’s first helicopter, the VS-300. Most recognized for his accomplishments in aviation, few know that Igor Sikorsky was a man of great faith which played a central role in his life and his accomplishments. A deeply religious Russian Orthodox Christian, Sikorsky authored two religious and philosophical books, The Message of the Lord's Prayer and The Invisible Encounter. This presentation explores Igor Sikorsky’s journey of faith through first-hand accounts of his son, Igor Sikorsky, Jr, a review of his writings and through research conducted at the American Helicopter Museum & Education Center of Sikorsky’s journals and photographs containing a multitude of references to scriptures from the Holy Bible and interpretations that illustrate how Igor’s faith and his work were eternally intertwined
Thursday, October 5th, 7-8:30 pm, Robin Bartlett, Vietnam Combat: Firefights and Writing History
Vietnam veteran Bartlett debuts with a cathartic account of his 1968 tour of duty. Only 22-years-old when he was promoted to platoon leader in the 1st Air Cavalry Division, Bartlett was careful not to get too close to his men, most of whom were younger: “I always had to recognize that I might be giving an order to one of my men… that would end up getting the soldier wounded or killed.” Poignant and personal, this is an intimate account of one man’s war.
Thursday, October 19, Alan Mack, Razor 03: A Night Stalker’s Wars
The attacks of September 11, 2001, prompted the creation of a robust and deadly special operations force — Task Force Dagger. Alan C. Mack, Callsign Razor 03, led a team of MH-47E helicopters and armed MH-60s. Mack shares his behind-the-scenes perspective of the Horse Soldier’s infill into Afghanistan. He discusses the hunt for Osama Bin Laden at Tora Bora and describes his shoot-down during Operation Anaconda. Years later, he chased Bowe Bergdahl, rescued hostages in Iraq, and the U.S. Navy Seal “Lone Survivor” from the Kunar Valley.