Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day at National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force

The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force is proud to host a special event on December 1st at 2 pm to commemorate Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Sponsored by the Navy League of Savannah, this event will feature keynote speaker Colonel Mark D. Bortnem, along with readings, music, and a special tribute to survivors and WWII veterans.

We invite you to join us for this special occasion with a Two-Bell Ceremony and presentation of a flower wreath to honor those who fought valiantly for our country. This program is free and open to the public. Let us come together to pay our respects and show our gratitude to the brave men and women who served our country during WWII.

About Colonel Mark D. Bortnem | Commanding Officer of Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort

Colonel Mark D. Bortnem grew up in Milford, MI, and has been a Marine for over 30 years, first enlisting in the Marine Corps in 1991. As an enlisted Marine, Colonel Bortnem served as a Supply Administration and Operations Specialist in Camp Lejeune, NC, before being selected for the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program. From 1994 – 1998, Colonel Bortnem attended Ohio State University, where he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant, ending his time as an enlisted Marine and beginning his career as an officer. Colonel Bortnem has served in various global locations, including the Pacific region, the Middle East, and the Arctic. He has nearly 3,000 flight hours, including more than 500 hours of combat time. Colonel Bortnem is a graduate of The Ohio State University (1998, BA Political Science) and the US Air Force’s Air War College (2021, MA in Strategic Studies). In July 2023, Colonel Bortnem assumed command of Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort.

About the Navy League of the United States

The Navy League of the United States is a worldwide organization dedicated to supporting our nation’s sea services (US Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and US-Flagged Merchant Marine) and educating our leaders and citizens about the importance of a strong maritime policy.  To learn more visit www.savannahnavyleague.us.  501(c)3 Organization.

About the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force

The Museum educates visitors about the character, courage, valor, and patriotism of the brave individuals who fought in the Eighth Air Force, the largest air armada in history. The Museum uses films, exhibits, artifacts, and archival materials to tell the stories of individuals who served in the Eighth Air Force. Their sacrifices made victory in World War II possible. Museum highlights include a fully restored B-17 “Flying Fortress” and the multimedia “Mission Experience,” an immersive simulated bombing mission in a special theater utilizing actual combat footage. The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force is located at 175 Bourne Avenue, Pooler, GA. Operating hours are Tue-Sat 10 am – 5 pm, Sun, Noon – 5 pm. For more information, call (912) 748-8888 or www.mightyeighth.org.

Moreno Aguiari

Born in Milan, Italy, Moreno moved to the U.S. in 1999 to pursue a career as a commercial pilot. His aviation passion began early, inspired by his uncle, an F-104 Starfighter Crew Chief, and his father, a military traffic controller. Childhood adventures included camping outside military bases and watching planes at Aeroporto Linate. In 1999, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, to obtain his commercial pilot license, a move that became permanent. With 24 years in the U.S., he now flies full-time for a Part 91 business aviation company in Atlanta. He is actively involved with the Commemorative Air Force, the D-Day Squadron, and other aviation organizations. He enjoys life with his supportive wife and three wonderful children.

• Rediscover History With The Barnstormer D-Day Collection
• The Iconic P-51D 'Swamp Fox' Hits the Market
• F-4 Phantom Legacy: Celebrating 50 Years of The Rhino in Turkish Service
• F4U Corsair Joins The Fleet at the USS Midway Museum