Established in 1848, Fort Bliss’ military and cultural roles have evolved over the years from protecting the territory around it to its current status as the U.S. Department of Defense’s second largest military installation and home of the 1st Armored Division, a/k/a “Old Ironsides.” Its history and its role during World War II will be among the topics discussed in this free lecture by Army veteran, former Fort Bliss Museum director and military historian John Hamilton, author of the books Blazing Skies: Air Defense Artillery on Fort Bliss Texas, 1940-2009 and Fort Bliss. — Doug Pullen