Ready for some intrigue?
Faster and higher than Top Gun!
The U2 Incident was a Cold War memory for many of us.
Come hear the son of Gary Powers of U2 fame share the story and set the records straight.
Gary Powers on the wing of a U2
The Hopewell Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is hosting this event and has invited the members of the Cincinnati Chapter SAR to attend. There is no charge for admission.
Gary Powers Sr – American Hero and Patriot
George Stewart, President of the Cincinnati SAR Chapter has been working with the local DAR Chapters to work together and share efforts.
This is a very special event!
Lets get out and show our support and learn about a really big event in Cold War history.
Please join us Monday July 18th at 7:00PM for this presentation, followed by a book signing.
Gary Powers Jr, at recent book signing
See the flyer attached for more details:
Background:
The U2 Incident, and a Controversial Cold War Legacy
This event was during the Cold War when the real risk of devastating nuclear war was a “push a button away”. The “red phone” phrase was commonly understood by most Americans. Fallout drills were common with school children. The Soviets and Americans sought out secrets of the others and were willing to risk anything to “one up” the other.
U2 in Dayton Air Force Museum
Out of this intensity and quest for information came the high altitude spy flights of the U-2 spy plane. Flying higher than all others and reportedly outside the range of Soviet missiles, the U-2 would take photographs of sensitive Soviet military targets.
Soviet Missle system which downed the U2
Unfortunately, the U-2 plane with pilot Gary Powers, Sr. was struck by a Soviet missile and came crashing down. Gary Powers, Sr. survived the crash and was taken into custody by the Soviets.
Crash debris from Gary Powers U-2 Spy Plane
During his presentation, Gary Powers, Jr. will talk about the Cold War, the U-2
Incident and the Spielberg movie Bridge of Spies that depicts his father’s
exchange for Soviet Spy Rudolph Abel. Also addressed is the misinformation that
surrounded his father, and what Gary Powers Jr. has done the past 25 years to set
the record straight regarding his father.
Gary Powers Jr at grave of Soviet pilot accidentally shot down by Soviet missile targeting the U2 spy plane
Gary Powers, Jr. is the author of Letters from a Soviet Prison (2017) and Spy Pilot (2019)
which both helped dispel the misinformation surrounding the U-2 Incident.
Gary Powers Jr. book – he will be signing!
He founded The Cold War Museum to honor Cold War veterans, preserve Cold War history and educate future generations about this time period.
As Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee for Cold War Study, he works with the National Park Service and leading Cold War experts to identify historic Cold War sites for commemorating, interpreting and preservation.
He consulted for the Stephen Spielberg Cold War thriller, Bridge of Spies, about James Donovan who brokered the 1962 spy exchange between KGB spy Rudolph Abel and
CIA U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers, Sr..
Where? When?
Monday, July 18th, 7:00 PM
West Chester Presbyterian Church
8930 Cincinnati Dayton Road
West Chester, Ohio 45071
(In the heart of Old West Chester)
General Admission Seating – Free Admission – Book Signing To Follow
Sponsored by Hopewell Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution
For more information, email regent@hopewelldar.org or George Stewart – George Stewart atgeorgehstewartjr@gmail.com
Hoping to see you there!
