Flying activities to include actual airplane involved in the events of Dec. 7, 1941
The 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor’s “Day of Infamy” will be commemorated at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2016, with flying activities and other highlights recalling the events and heroism of that fateful day, which initiated America’s involvement in World War II and changed our nation forever.
EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2016 – the 64th annual Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in convention – will be held July 25-31 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.
Flying activities will include historic World War II-era aircraft of both American and Japanese origin, including the popular Tora! Tora! Tora! air show performances. An unprecedented part of the commemoration will be the flying appearance of a restored Interstate Cadet aircraft that was in the air for flight training over Oahu when the attack began on December 7, 1941.
An evening program on Wednesday, July 27, will highlight the events of December 1941, with participants expected to include Pearl Harbor veterans and historians who have deeply researched the events before, during, and after that day.
“Although 75 years have passed since the events at Pearl Harbor changed America forever, it’s important to commemorate the heroism shown that day and the aftermath of the attack,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programs, who coordinates features and attractions at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. “Aviation played an extraordinary part on December 7, 1941, so it’s natural that it would be a part of the activities at Oshkosh this year. We also want to help our attendees have a better appreciation of what happened before and after that historic day.”
EAA AirVenture attendees are invited to participate in re-creating the scene of the days just prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor with activities on Boeing Plaza after the afternoon air show on July 27, up until the start of the night air show that evening. The goal is to re-imagine the atmosphere and mindset in the then-U.S. territory of Hawaii with food, music and settings that were present in early December 1941, until things abruptly changed just hours later.
Specific details on all Pearl Harbor 75th anniversary events at Oshkosh will be announced as they are finalized. Those details will be available at the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh website.