Flying for America: Granite State Airmen and the War in the Air

The 2018 Program Series: “Remembering the Great War, Home and Abroad” continues as Byron Champlin examines “Flying for America: Granite State Airmen and the War in the Air.” Entering the First World War woefully underprepared to fight in an air war, the United States rapidly expanded its Air Service to meet the challenge. Men from the small city of Concord, NH, played a surprisingly prominent role flying for Uncle Sam in the Great War. Hear the story of New Hampshire residents who were members of the 26th Infantry “Yankee” Division.

 

Described by the Concord Monitor as having an “encyclopedic brain,” Byron Champlin is a former journalist and independent historian who is currently writing a book exploring Concord, NH as a microcosm of the American Experience in the First World War. In 2015, he was honored by the New Hampshire Humanities Council for his work with several regional organizations.

Attendance is free for Athenaeum Proprietors, Subscribers and Friends. Guests and members of the public are welcome to attend the entire series by becoming a Friend of the Athenaeum for as little as $25 per year, payable at the door. Admission to an individual program is $10.

Space is limited and reservations are required. Please call (603) 431-2538 ext 2 and reserve your spot(s) today.

[Image: Forbes Lithograph Manufacturing Company. Join the Air Service Learn-Earn, circa 1917-1920; Courtesy of the Library of Congress.]