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Frank Borman, who was on the Apollo 8 mission that in December 1968 became the first manned craft to orbit the moon, will be the featured speaker at EAA's annual Wright Brothers Memorial Banquet on Dec. 17.

The banquet, held in the EAA AirVenture Museum's Eagle Hangar in Oshkosh, will commemorate the 105th anniversary of the Wright Brothers' first powered flight at Kitty Hawk, N.C.

Borman's appearance at EAA will take place just four days before the 40th anniversary of the launch of the Apollo 8 mission.

Borman, James Lovell and William Anders spent six days in space, making important discoveries that allowed the first manned moon landing to succeed less than a year later.

Among the most memorable public highlights of that mission was the iconic "earthrise" photo taken from the Apollo 8 capsule in moon orbit, and the astronauts' reading from the Bible's Book of Genesis on Christmas Eve 1968.

"While most people know of Frank's accomplishments in space, his entire aviation career has been a unique experience,” said Tom Poberezny, EAA president. “He has had the opportunity to see aviation from many perspectives and as a major figure in the history of flight."

Tickets for the banquet can be reserved through the secure website available through www.eaa.org homepage or by calling 920-426-6880. Tickets are $35 each for EAA members and $40 each for non-EAA members.

More information on the Dec. 17 event is available at the "Special Events" area of the EAA museum website at www.airventuremuseum.org.