Dare County, NC

Frank A. Blazich, Jr., PhD
Curator of Military History
Division of Political and Military History
National Museum of American History
Smithsonian Institution

A native of Raleigh, North Carolina, Frank Blazich, Jr. specializes in the American military experience in the twentieth century. A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, he holds a doctorate in modern American history from The Ohio State University (2013).

Following his doctoral studies, Blazich served as the historian at the U.S. Navy Seabee Museum in Port Hueneme, California before moving to Washington, D.C. to serve as a historian in the History and Archives Division of Naval History and Heritage Command. In January 2017, he assumed his current position as curator of modern military history at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History. His second book, “An Honorable Place in American Air Power”: Civil Air Patrol Coastal Patrol Operations, 1943-1943, was published by Air University Press in December 2020.

He is currently the National Historian Emeritus of the Civil Air Patrol at the rank of colonel. He lives in Northern Virginia with his wife Nicole, and son William.

At 12 p.m. on November 18, 2023, Blazich will offer a presentation about Civil Air Patrol operations during World War II.

Tony Bruno

Curator
Dare County Airport Museum

Tony Bruno is a former Naval Aviator with over 200 landings on eight different aircraft carriers. His 29-year airline career included flying as captain on the Boeing 737, Airbus A-320, Boeing 757, and Boeing 767.

Since retiring from the airlines, Bruno has been an instructor and examiner with Flight Safety International on the Gulfstream 550 and 650. In 2018, he was a recipient of the Wright Brother’s “Master Pilot” Award by the FAA.

Bruno is the Curator of the Dare County Airport Museum and serves on the Board of Directors of the First Flight Society. Bruno, his wife Sheri Bruno, and their dog Henley, live in Kitty Hawk, NC.

At 11 a.m. on November 18, 2023, Bruno will offer a presentation about the history of the Dare County Regional Airport. At 1:30 p.m., Bruno will offer a presentation, "VF-17 and the “Kitty Hawk Kid”

Harry Bridges

Co-Founder
Dare County Airport Museum

Harry Bridges is one of the founders of the Dare County Airport Museum, which opened in 1993, during the Airport's 50th anniversary celebration. Harry Bridges' father served at Manteo airport in the Civil Air Patrol in 1943.

Live Performer: Theresa Eaman

Singer and Reenactor

Theresa Eaman has been performing jazz standards since her early teens. Although a classically trained vocalist, Theresa has branched off to specialize in jazz standards and performing songs from the 20's - 60's. With her beautiful voice and stirring renditions of popular songs, she entertains young and old alike!

Historical Reenactors:

You can spot Sean Neal, Sue Neal and Lynn Ritger during the event wearing WWII CAP uniforms.