Event Calendar
Photo by Drew Naylor
Saturday, December 14th at 12:00pm - 2:00pm | Holiday in the Hangar
Come enjoy a free and festive family-friendly afternoon at the Museum with hot chocolate and cookies, kids crafts, live Christmas music by pianist Halee Reddick,
and a special visit from Mr. and Mrs. Claus!
Thursday, December 19th at 11am | Free Lecture - The Christmas Truce at the Western Front
Presented by Bill Albers, CAM Volunteer & Historian
Prior to the lecture, CAM Volunteer & Pianist Halee Reddick will perform a selection of traditional Christmas songs. Come early and join us for a festive sing-along!
World War I, the so-called Great War, was only 5 months old and there were already many casualties on both sides. The first Christmas at the front lines of the 4-year war became a Christmas celebration of a size that had never taken place before and most likely will never happen again. Many believed it was a miracle that thousands of soldiers put down their weapons and stopped killing to celebrate Christmas.
The lecture in the CAM Library will include the history of World War I and the events that led up to the Christmas Truce in 1914. Complimentary hot tea and cookies/biscuits will be served.
About our Speaker: Bill Albers was born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands (Holland) where he grew up as a child during a 5-year occupation by the Germans during WWII. At age 18 he enlisted in the Royal Dutch Air Force where he served as a jet aircraft mechanic. After his tour of duty was complete, Bill earned a Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from HTS Amsterdam. In 1965 he came to America as an Engineering intern, studying advanced manufacturing techniques for 18 months at Monarch Machine Tool in Sidney, Ohio. After completing his internship, Bill accepted a position with Sperry Rand and moved to Montreal, Canada. He returned to the US in 1972 and became a US citizen five years later. Bill retired in 2008 and he volunteers at the Champaign Aviation Museum where he contributes to the construction of a B-17 Bomber. He also volunteers at the WACO Aviation Museum as a coordinator of Lectures.
Thursday, January 9th, 2025 at 11:00am | Free Lecture - Tactical Airlift in Desert Storm
Presented by Brigadier General Paul R. Cooper (Ret.)
Operation Desert Storm was the first major war of the Total Force era rather than relying on the draft. On August 2, 1990, the Iraqi army invaded and occupied Kuwait. Paul Cooper was the commander of the C-130 equipped Air Force Reserve 914th Tactical Airlift Group at Niagara Falls, New York. On August 7, 1990 President Bush made the decision to deploy forces for a defensive build up in Saudi Arabia known as Operation Desert Shield. This presentation in the CAM Library is a first-person account of when Paul deployed to the Middle East for 7 months between 1990 – 1991, flying the C-130 through the oil fires in Kuwait and other missions. He also highlights what it was like to live in a tent city in the active combat zone and the experiences of his unit during the war. In September 1992, the 914th Tactical Airlift Group received the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award.
About our Speaker: Brigadier General Paul R. Cooper retired in 2002 as commander of the Air Force Reserve’s 445th Airlift Wing, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. He completed almost 35 years of military service with the United States Air Force and the Air Force Reserve. He has been a base commander at three different bases and held a variety of key staff positions including chief of staff at two numbered air forces. Eight times the unit that he led received the Air Force Distinguished Unit Award as a result of his creative mentorship, innovative team building, and inspirational leadership. He is a command pilot with over 12,000 flying hours in jet aircraft. His numerous decorations include: the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, 3 Legions of Merit, the Bronze Star, and 3 Air Medals.
Thursday, February 20th, 2025 at 11:00am | Free Lecture - The Spanish-American War
Presented by Robert Mergel, P.E., P.S. (Ret.) and Major Edward Sachs, USAF Reserve
This presentation explores the Causes, Nations, Leadership, Preparedness, Weaponry, Major Engagements, and Conclusion of the Spanish American War. Professor Emeritus Robert Mergel and Major Edward Sachs portray Lt. Colonel Theodore Roosevelt and Colonel Leonard Wood of the 1st US Volunteer Cavalry in period uniform. The presentation includes an MS PowerPoint media depiction of the Administration of Spain and the United States prior to hostilities, the sinking of the US Battleship Maine, preparedness and mobilization of the warring nations, the army and naval commanders and forces, and a description of the major engagements and the terms of the Peace Agreement. Interspersed with the MS PowerPoint presentation is a display of the weaponry and accoutrements of the combatants. This presentation held during the week of President's Day is significant, as it was the Spanish American War that ultimately propelled Roosevelt into the White House.
About our Speaker: In 2012 Robert (Bob) Mergel retired from Columbus State Community College, Columbus, Ohio and was awarded the title of Professor Emeritus. Upon retirement he held the position as professor and coordinator of Civil Engineering Technology. In 2018 he retired as a senior lecturer at the Ohio State University College of Engineering teaching undergraduate civil engineering and surveying courses. In 2019 Bob retired his registration as a Professional Surveyor and a Professional Engineer in the State of Ohio. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the Ohio State University (1972), Master of Education Degree from the Ohio University (1990) and a Master of Science Degree in Geodetic Science and Surveying from the Ohio State University (2002).
Saturday, May 3rd, 2025 at 5:30pm | 13th Annual Gala with Keynote Speaker: Captain Dave Norman, the last Marine to leave the rooftop of the United States Embassy in Saigon at the end of the Vietnam War - Tickets on sale now, click here!
Saturday, June 14th | B-25 Champaign Gal Rides at CAM/Grimes Field (I74 Urbana, Ohio)
B-25 rides begin at 10:00am. Additional ride times will become available as each flight fills.
