T/Sgt. Donald G. Malarkey will be the Guest Speaker at the Oregon Chapter of 8th Air Force Historical Society in Beaverton on November 13th, 2004.

Mr. Don Malarkey is one of the original paratroopers profiled in the Stephen Ambrose book and the HBO series "Band of Brothers." T/Sgt Malarkey served in 'Easy Company,' 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR) of the 101st Airborne Division in World War II. Don will be giving a presentation about his experiences during the Second World War. This presentation will occur at the Quarterly Meeting of the Oregon Chapter of the 8th Air Force Historical Society on Saturday, November 13th, at the Elk's Lodge in Beaverton, Oregon.

(PRWEB) October 23, 2004 -- On Saturday November 13th at 10:00 AM the Quarterly Meeting of the Oregon Chapter of the 8th AFHS will be held. This is the weekend immediately following the Veterans Day Holiday on Thursday November 11. Mr. Malarkey will be giving a presentation of World War II from his perspective.

Stephen Ambrose wrote the book "Band of Brothers," which was turned into a HBO mini-series directed by Tom Hanks, about one company of soldiers that fought in the European Theatre of Operations (ETO). T/Sgt. Malarkey, who lives in Salem Oregon, was one of the central characters that Stephen Ambrose used to paint a picture of combat experienced by airborne troops from their front line combat perspective. The story follows the unit from their training days in the US to VE Day (Victory in Europe).

Easy Company, and many others airborne units, were dropped into combat by Troop Transport Command's C-47 Dakota aircraft. These unarmed transports were able to operate over enemy territory without interference from Luftwaffe fighters as a direct result of the 8th Air Force bombers and fighters gaining air supremacy over the Luftwaffe.

The meeting is free.

The meeting room will be open starting at 10:00 AM. All people are encouraged to show up at this time so to gather and talk with members and guests before lunch is served. Mr. Malarkey's program starts after lunch.

The buffet lunch starts at 12 Noon. The menu is soup & sandwich with a salad bar and can be purchased at the door for $9.50.

Please contact Don Keller at 503-646-4176 or e-mail him b17airdepo @ aol.com stating that you are going to eat lunch so we can have an accurate count for the caterers. Please contact him before November 10, 2004.

If you cannot contact him please contact the alternate:

Tom Philo

503-350-3744

tom @ taphilo.com

Displays, books, pictures, (re-enactors usually attend), and other items will be on display.

If you wish to join the 8thAFHS you can do so at the meeting. Annual dues are $10 a year. You also will have to join the National 8th AFHS http://www.8thafhs.org.

The local chapter publishes a quarterly newsletter; the National organization puts out a monthly magazine. Both include articles, pictures, and events concerning the 8th AF in World War II as well as current news on old bases, monuments, reunions, tours, and research.

The National organization is based in Savannah, Georgia, where the 8th was activated at during World War Two.

Information online about the local Oregon Chapter of the 8th Air Force Historical Society can be found at:

http://www.taphilo.com/history/8thaf/8thAFHS.shtml

Meeting Location:

Elks Club

3400 SW 104th Avenue

Beaverton, Oregon

- right off of Canyon Road (Highway 8) at 104th Street just east of Highway 217.

Curachee!

Geronimo!

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