User:Gpowersjr/sandbox/Francis Gary Powers Jr.

Francis Gary Powers, Jr. (born June 5, 1965) is the founder of the Cold War Museum. He lectures internationally and appears regularly on the History, Discovery, and A&E Channels, as well as the Voice of Russia on the topic of the Cold War and his father's experience as a pilot of a spy plane that was shot down by the Soviet Union in 1960.

Biography
Powers was born in Burbank, California the son of Claudia 'Sue' and Francis Gary Powers, an American U-2 spy plane pilot whose plane was shot down in 1960 by a Soviet missile and who remained in a prison in the U.S.S.R. for nearly two years.

He has a Bachelors' of Arts Degree in Philosophy from California State University, Los Angeles, and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration with Certification in Non-profit Management from George Mason University.

In 1996, he founded the Cold War Museum and Memorial to honor Cold War Veterans and preserve Cold War history. Currently, a mobile exhibit travels internationally that displays historical artifacts associated with the U-2 Incident of May 1960. The traveling exhibit promotes interest in the creation of a permanent Cold War Museum that will exhibit artifacts and memorabilia associated with various Cold War events from the end of World War II to the collapse of the Soviet Union. In conjunction with the Museum, a Cold War Memorial will honor the men and women who worked, fought, sacrificed, and died during the Cold War from 1945 to 1991.

The Junior Chamber of Commerce selected him as one of 'Ten Outstanding Young Americans' for 2002. He lectures internationally and appears regularly on the History, Discovery, and A&E Channels, as well as the Voice of Russia.