Hi Ben, For Lory
Curtis, the picture of Sospel was great. Funny, I did not think it was so great
"back then". Almost makes me want to do it again...almost Randolph Coleman
Plans are finalized for the 2004 Camp Toccoa Reunion scheduled for
October 8-10, and everyone is invited to attend the weekend honoring the World
War II Paratrooper Infantry Regiment Veterans who trained on Currahee
Mountain. There is a wide variety of activities taking place throughout
the community and we hope that you will plan to be part of this memorable
occasion.
Friday’s activities include a barbecue, guided community tour
and book signing for several authors of military related books. The
Stephens County Historical Museum will be open during the entire weekend,
including all day Friday.
The schedule for Saturday is full of fun and
exciting things to do. The day begins with the Currahee Challenge Road
Race on the mountain where the PIR’s trained and will include a 10K, 5K and
1-mile fun-run. Afterward, activities get underway at the R.G. LeTourneau
Airport and will include: military memorabilia
show, airborne
operations, two re-enactments and the opportunity to visit with those
participating in the encampment on the battlefield. A banquet to honor the
veterans and those registered for the reunion will feature the Army Band from
Fort McPherson and speaker, Brigadier General Benjamin Freakley, Commander US
Army Infantry Center and Commandant US Army Infantry School, Fort Benning,
Georgia.
A remembrance service at the PIR Monuments on Currahee Mountain will
be held on Sunday with the Reverend Henry Fields and Major General Julian Burns,
Chief of Staff US Army Forces Command at Fort McPherson, Georgia. The
military memorabilia show will open after the program and two additional
re-enactments and airborne operations will take place at the
airport.
Pre-registration is required for meals and you may get the forms at
www.toccoagachamber.com or by
calling 706-886-2132. There is a $5 fee each day for the re-enactments,
airborne operations and military memorabilia show with all proceeds going to the
Stephens County Historical Society Museum Building Fund. The money will be
used to construct a new facility to appropriately display memorabilia for Camp
Toccoa and the remainder of military heritage items that have been donated to
the Museum.