Honorary Consul to the Netherlands to speak at
WWII Heritage Days Opening Ceremony
PEACHTREE CITY, GA (March 27, 2013) – The Second World War ended nearly seven decades ago, but on Saturday, April 27th, the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Dixie Wing will build a bridge between Peachtree City, GA and the Netherlands during a special program honoring local World War II veterans.
Mr. Ewoud Swaak, the Honorary Consul to the Netherlands for Georgia and South Carolina, will be the keynote speaker at the WWII Heritage Days Opening Ceremony. The theme of the program, Operation Market Garden: History and Legacy, will commemorate a battle in September 1944 when 40,000 Allied paratroopers attempted to liberate a series of cities, towns and bridges in Holland in an effort to shorten war. Dutch communities have since marked the event each year.
The WWII Heritage Days Opening Ceremony is expected to be one of the largest gatherings of WWII veterans in Georgia this year. Activities begin at 9:30am.
Mr. Swaak, a native of the Netherlands, will share with the public the lasting impact of Operation Market-Garden. In addition to serving as Honorary Consul, Mr. Swaak is a member of the Real Estate Honorary Board at Georgia State University, the Board of Advisors of the Netherlands American Chamber of Commerce and the Entrepreneurs Organization (EO). He was also the founder and CEO of Westplan Investors and chairman of the Board of Director of C5 Youth Foundation of Georgia.
Joining Mr. Swaak will be Bob Anzuoni, Director of the U.S. Army Signal Corps Museum and published author of books about the history of 82nd Airborne Division in World War II. Anzuoni will provide a historical overview of the battle. Maj Gen George Harrison, USAF, Ret. will serve as master of ceremonies.
2013 will mark the 10th anniversary of WWII Heritage Days, to be held at the CAF Dixie Wing Historical Airpower Facility April 27-28, 9am-4pm. The program features vintage aircraft, period vehicles, guest speakers, education displays and demonstrations for school age kids. Local actors and singers from Twilight Theatre will impersonate 1940’s celebrities and a 1940’s-theme hangar dance fundraiser will be held Saturday evening.
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.” said Jim Buckley, CAF Dixie Wing leader.
WWII Heritage Days is an annual program that promotes education and patriotism. The CAF Dixie Wing is a non-profit education organization that restores WWII aircraft and teaches WWII history.
Suggested donation for “WWII Heritage Days” is $5, Children 5 and under free. “WWII Heritage Days” will be held rain or shine. Please no pets. Tickets for “Keep ‘em Flying” are $50 before April 22nd, $60 at the door. Reserved tables and group discounts available. For tickets, call 678-654-2464. All ticket sales final. For more info about WWII Heritage Days, visit www.wwiidays.org.
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