Burke Historical Society Lecture Series.

Presented by Alan McKie*

During the Cold War, both the the United States and the Soviet Union sought dominance in a potentially deadly contest by deploying long range nuclear missiles and building long range nuclear bombers. The U.S. implemented a sophisticated missile air defense system called “NIKE,” named for the Greek god of victory. Two hundred and forty NIKE air-defense sites were built around the country. Lorton, Virginia, was selected as the National NIKE Site. It was twice the size of any other site and periodically open to the public. Come and find out all about this Cold War relic and how you can actually visit the remnants of the NIKE missile Lorton complex today.

This program is appropriate for ages 13 & Up

*Alan McKie had a 35 year career with the U.S. Government – five years with the Military Petroleum Supply Agency and then thirty years with the Federal Communications Commission, retiring in 1960 as Deputy Managing Director. Alan then served as a docent for the U.S. Navy Museum at the Washington Navy Yard for many years. He is currently a docent at the Lucy Burns Museum located at the Lorton Arts Foundation and Workhouse.