Fab Friday- Dr. Amber Alexander

“Games on the Plains: Sports and Recreation at the Kearney Army Airfield During World War II”

During World War II, life at the Kearney Army Airfield wasn’t all training drills and flight missions. Sports and recreational activities played a vital role in daily life for the young servicemen stationed here. From baseball games and basketball tournaments to dances and USO shows, these moments of fun and relaxation helped boost morale, build camaraderie, and connect the base with the local Kearney community.
This talk will explore how these leisure activities supported the well-being of troops and created shared experiences between military personnel and civilians. You'll hear stories of homegrown heroes, spirited rivalries, and the ways sports became a powerful part of the war effort right here on the Nebraska plains.

Q&A session will follow.

Please join us at the Trails & Rails Museum at 2:00pm on Friday, August 8th. 710 W. 11th St., Kearney, for this free event. In addition, our new exhibit “Boys of Summer” highlighting baseball and softball history in Buffalo county, also free (though donations are always appreciated) will be available for view.
Please direct any questions to Andie Trembley, Community Engagement, YmNocyAhIGVkdWNhdGlvbiB8IGhvdG1haWwgISBjb20= or 308-234-3041.