The Stuart Air Show is proud to announce that it this year will host the reunion of the Florida Chapter of the Eighth Air Force Historical Society, the official veterans association of the Florida Eighth Air Force.

The Eighth Air Force was the backbone of the Allied air operations and defense over European skies during World War 2. It was the Eighth Air Force which through heroic missions in B17 and B24 heavy bombers crippled the Nazi war machine from the air, and through sorties in the P51 and P47 fighters kept Goring’s Luftwaffe on the ground.

The Florida Chapter of the Eighth Air Force Historical Society was created by the soldiers themselves to preserve the history of the United States Army Air Force operations over Europe between 1943 and 1945.

During the Stuart Air Show we will host these real life heroes in our Living Legends tent, where the general public will be able to meet them face-to-face, get their autographs and get pictures taken with them. Further to this, the Stuart Air Show also anticipates to show some of the actual bombers and fighter planes that these veterans flew during the war. We anticipate the Eighth Air Force veterans to be available to the public during the Air Show on both days of the air show, and this includes pilots, gunners, navigators, mechanics, etc. One of the pilots who have confirmed his presence has 34 combat missions in a B17.

This is also a unique opportunity for the general public to personally thank these heroes for their service and sacrifices.