FAIRHOPE, Ala. — In March of 2009 Fairhope resident and artist Cynthia Rush found a cardboard box in a storage unit that had not been opened in over a half century.

Rush discovered a treasure of rare personal records of her uncle, Lt. John O. Rush Jr., and his experiences as a Navy fighter pilot.

Rush will offer a glimpse of her uncle’s life at the Fairhope Public Library on Feb. 20. at 10:30 a.m.

Her presentation, “Before the Storm: Life as a Navy Flying Cadet in Pensacola on the Eve of World War II,” will show his military and personal life through his own photographs and cartoons.

Upon discovering the box Rush said, “I was transfixed by this moment by moment record of a young aviator’s days at the Pensacola Naval Air Station from 1936 to 1941, captured by camera … and hand-drawn cartoons that showed a keen eye and wry wit.”

Rush will show a sampling from more than 400 photographs and cartoons that John Rush made.

For more information call (251) 929-1464.