L&T staff report
The Mid-America Air Museum will be providing free admission all day Saturday to give locals a chance to glimpse at all the offerings of the museum as well as meet the authors of “Images of Aviation: Liberal Army Airfield” Lidia Hook-Gray and Connie Gray-Bowman.
The local authors put together the book highlighting Liberal’s role in fighting for freedom during World War II by training B-24 pilots at the Liberal Army Air Field.
The construction of the runway, hangars and base led to an economic boom for the small Southwest Kansas community, and transformed the tiny town from 4,000 residents to 8,000 in two years.
The book features photos from 1940s when the United States was embroiled in a two-front battle in Europe and the Pacific Rim.
While the base lasted only 27 months before the war was won, the lasting impression continues.
Books will be available for purchase Saturday, and the authors will be on hand to sign books from 1:30 to 3 p.m.
