Monday, February 01, 2010

WWII Heritage Days Returns to Peachtree City

“Remember Pearl Harbor!”, Rosie the Riveter, and Glenn Miller. Experience the sights and sounds of the Greatest Generation when the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Dixie Wing hosts the seventh annual “WWII Heritage Days” April 24-25, 2010. The public history event will be held at The Historical Airpower Facility, Falcon Field, Peachtree City from 9am-4pm both days.

The weekend will again feature vintage aircraft, period vehicles, education displays, guest speakers and demonstrations, including mock battles between reenactors portraying American and Axis troops.

“WWII Heritage Days is a community celebration that will entertain and educate the entire family.” said Jim Buckley, CAF Dixie Wing leader. The community focus has resulted in the program being designated a Peachtree City 50th Anniversary event in 2009.

Why turn a flying museum into a living history classroom? “Our goal is to honor the Greatest Generation, the men and women who won the Second World War.” explained Buckley, who also flies several of the group’s aircraft.

Over 50 World War II veterans have attended the history festival’s opening ceremony each of the last two years.

A weekend highlight is “Keep ‘em Flying”, a WWII-theme hangar dance featuring the Peachtree Jazz Edition and Vintage Vocals, a trio that reprises the unique sound of the Andrews Sisters. Proceeds from the dance benefit historic aircraft preservation and “Education Through Living History”, the group’s WWII history program made available to schools and youth groups free of charge.

Sunday morning will begin with a jeep-top religious service familiar to millions of American servicemen during and since the Second World War.

Participating organizations include the 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment (reenacted), Kelly’s Zeroes, History Flight, FDR’s Little White House, the Southern Wing of the Airmen Preservation Society, the U.S. Army Signal Corps Museum and Atlanta World War II Round Table.

Local civic organizations and schools are also invited to create and display 1940’s exhibits.

“WWII Heritage Days” is an annual program that promotes historic preservation, education and citizenship. The CAF Dixie Wing is a non-profit education organization that relies on donations and fundraisers to restore WWII aircraft and teach WWII history.

Suggested donation for “WWII Heritage Days” is $5 for Adults, Children 13 and under admitted free. The public is also asked to bring a canned food item to be donated to the Fayette Samaritans food pantry. “WWII Heritage Days” will be held rain or shine. Please no pets. Tickets for “Keep ‘em Flying” are $35 before April 19th, $50 at the door. Reserved tables for eight are $300. For more information, please visit WWW.WWIIDAYS.NET or call 678-364-1110.

The Commemorative Air Force is a non-profit organization dedicated to flying and restoring World War II aircraft. Based in Midland, Texas, the organization has over 9,500 members and operates a fleet of over 150 World War II aircraft. www.commemorativeairforce.org

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