The Resurrection Lutheran Men’s Breakfast recently welcomed Bill Buckingham, Director of the 390th Bomber Group Memorial Museum at the Pima Air & Space Museum near Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. The museum honors the missions and sacrifices of the 390th B-17 Bomber Group, which operated out of Framlingham, England, during World War II.
With 64 attendees—nearly a record turnout—the morning began with committee chair Jim Seppala’s opening remarks. Ken Shepard gave a meal blessing, and Mark Boyce led the Pledge of Allegiance before introducing Buckingham. A hearty breakfast, prepared by Kevin Risner of Flaming Heart BBQ Catering, set the stage for an inspiring presentation.
Buckingham shared the history of the 390th Memorial Museum and the harrowing stories of airmen who flew bombing missions over Germany. The danger they faced was staggering—only 18 percent of aircrews survived their first five missions. The museum preserves personal accounts, authentic artifacts and a fully restored B-17 aircraft, offering visitors a glimpse into the lives of these courageous men. Founded by veterans of the 390th, the museum serves as a lasting tribute to their bravery. Today, it welcomes over 174,000 visitors annually and operates through donations and gift shop sales. Although it has a dedicated building, there is no additional admission fee once inside the Pima Air & Space Museum. Some of the museum’s volunteer docents are World War II veterans, sharing first-hand experiences from their time at the airbase in England.
Buckingham, whose career includes roles at Kitt Peak Observatory, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and NASA’s John Glenn Research Center, is passionate about preserving the history of the 390th Bomber Group and honoring those who served.
The next Resurrection Lutheran Men’s Breakfast, scheduled for Saturday, March 1, will feature Dale Clements, a Resurrection Lutheran Church member and radio historian. An expert in pre-transistor radio repair, Clements will take attendees on a journey through radio’s Golden Age (1920s–1950s) and its impact on broadcasting history.
Join Us
The Resurrection Lutheran Men’s Breakfast meets on the first Saturday of each month (October to May) at the Outreach Center on the church’s main campus in Oro Valley. Gatherings begin at 7:30 a.m. (doors open at 7 a.m.). Register online at orovalley.org or call the church office at (520) 575-9901. A $15 donation is appreciated. Additionally, Resurrection Lutheran Church at SaddleBrooke hosts a non-denominational Sunday worship service at 9 a.m. in the SaddleBrooke HOA-2 MountainView Ballroom. All are welcome!
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