This coming Wednesday, May 2, at NASA’s Langley Research Center here, the son of Francis Gary Powers will talk about the 1960 U-2 incident in which his father was shot down over the former Soviet Union while working for the CIA.
“The U-2 Incident: A Son’s Perspective by Gary Powers Jr.” will be at 2 p.m. in the Reid Conference Center. Powers will discuss what it was like growing up in the shadow of a famous father, and his efforts to honor Cold War veterans and preserve Cold War history.
Tuesday, May 1 will mark the 52nd anniversary of the incident.
Powers will be available to answer questions from the media during a news briefing at 1:15 p.m. that day. Media who wish to do so should contact Chris Rink at 757-864-6786, or by e-mail at chris.rink@nasa.gov, by noon on the day of the talk for credentials and entry to the Center.
That same evening at 7:30, Powers will host a similar presentation for the general public at the Virginia Air & Space Center in downtown Hampton. This Sigma Series event is free and no reservations are required.
Powers will also discuss the misinformation that still circulates regarding the incident including a NASA cover story and recently declassified files.
Born in Burbank, Calif. in 1965, Powers has spent most of his life in public service and nonprofit management including working with boards of directors, chambers of commerce, teachers, students, volunteers, members of Congress, members of the Virginia General Assembly, and a variety of national, regional, and local business, nonprofit, and community leaders.
Powers has previously testified before the Congressional House Subcommittee on National Parks, Recreation, and Public Lands and the General Laws Committee of the Virginia General Assembly. In October 2010, the Virginia General Assembly presented him with a proclamation for his work to establish The Cold War Museum in Fauquier County, Va.
For more information about NASA Langley’s Colloquium and Sigma Series Lectures, visit: http://shemesh.larc.nasa.gov/Lectures/
