Downtown Toccoa is getting ready to welcome returning WWII veterans, their families and friends, and hundreds of visitors during the Currahee Military Weekend, September 30 – Oct. 2, 2011. The mission of this weekend celebration is to honor the courageous men who trained at Camp Toccoa, to teach WWII history to our young people, and to celebrate our military’s commitment to America.
Many of the weekend events will be held in the downtown. Friday, September 30, registration will begin at the Currahee Military Museum at 10:00 a.m. in the Mitchell Allen Memorial Hall. Then from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. there will be a book signing with WWII veteran authors at the same venue.
Saturday, October 1, the day will begin with the Special Forces Association Parachute Jump Team who will jump over Boyd Field at the start of the Veteran’s Parade around 10:50. They will jump with their spectacular signature 20ft by 30ft American Flag. The Veterans parade will start at 11:00 a.m. and will begin on Doyle St and Pond St, go down Doyle St, turn on Sage St, and then go down Foreacre St to the Historic Depot. This year’s parade will be the biggest yet with the returning veterans, several large military vehicles, the SC High School band, as well as the SCHS JR ROTC and CAP.
The opening ceremony will begin at 11:00 a.m. with the Blue Ridge Rifles team from North Georgia College and State University. The special speaker for the event will be, Julie Schugars, daughter of Joe Beryle. During the weekend there is an exhibit from Russia made possible by Russia, the United States and the Joe Beyrle family that will be displayed in the Currahee Military Museum. Beyrle’s story of being captured by the Germans, escaping and then joining up and fighting with the Russians against Germany is told at the exhibit.
Throughout the day, visit the living history displays on the courthouse lawn and see what the living conditions were for the soldiers during the war. There will also be a Memorabilia Show and Sale on Doyle Street. The show will have memorabilia from WWI, WWII, and other foreign wars.
Downtown businesses and restaurants will be open during the weekend.
“We want to welcome all of our guests and visitors to this special weekend. We never want to forget the sacrifices that were made for us, not only by these brave men during WWII, but also by the men and women in uniform today,” said Sharon Crosby of Main Street Toccoa.
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