Keesler celebrates proud heritage <br> '70 Years of Excellence...With a Touch of Class!' Published Aug. 3, 2011 By Susan Griggs 81st Training Wing Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- A single 70th birthday party isn't enough for Keesler. When Aug. 27 rolls around, three different celebrations will mark Keesler's seven decades of service, training, innovation and growth. Army Air Corps Station No. 8 was activated June 12, 1941, as a response to President Franklin D. Roosevelt's plea to bolster national defense as threats to world peace unfolded. Aug. 25, the installation was renamed Keesler Army Airfield in honor of 2nd Lt. Samuel Keesler Jr., a Mississippi native and Army pilot who was shot down during combat in 1918. Theme for the day is "70 Years of Excellence ... With a Touch of Class!" Birthday celebrations planned are: Birthday golf scramble -- 8 a.m., Bay Breeze Golf Course. Golfers must have verifiable handicaps for the four-person select-shot tournament. The cost is $40 per player for green fees, cart, coffee, pastries, lunch, beverages, prizes and giveaways. Preregistration is required. For more information or to sign up, call 377-3832. Family birthday party -- 9 a.m. to noon, Bay Breeze Event Center. Free activities and refreshments are planned, including games, clown, face painting, inflatables, pony rides, arts and crafts, cookies and ice cream. For more information, call 377-4116. Keesler's birthday gala -- 7-11 p.m., Bay Breeze Event Center. Guests are asked to come attired in Kentucky Derby garb for an evening of southern charm. Prizes are awarded for best dressed guests. There's live entertainment by Big Band Theory, dancing, scotch and cigar sampling, cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and a photo booth. Tickets are $15 for Air Force Club members and $20 for nonmembers. Tickets are available at Bay Breeze club and pro shop, the marina and Gaudé Lanes. For more information, call 377-1690 or 2334.