-
Jeremy Holm and his grandfather Andrew Carrico.
Currahee Military Weekend will kick off with a repeat showing of the film, The Girl Who Wore Freedom on Thursday, Oct. 5.
Three shows are planned – at 10 a.m. for home school students, private and public schools and at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. for the general public. Cost is $10 per ticket.
This is a film about the impact American paratroopers and soldiers had with the children of World War II in Europe.
The weekend will continue Friday, Oct. 6 with a Paper & More book signing at the meeting room at the Stephens County History Museumfrom 1-5 p.m.
Author Jeremy Holm will be here with two of his books, When Angels Fall” and “Down From Heaven” about the 511th and 11th Airborne.
Utilizing firsthand experiences and interviews with members of the 511th PIR, including his grandfather, 1st Lt. Andrew Carrico of Company D, Holm tells the story of this historic unit from Camp Toccoa to Tokyo, including the training grounds of Camp Mackall and New Guinea.
The Angels faced hell together and bonded during the nightmarish months of combat of the Leyte and Luzon campaigns.
Authors Jack Talley and Susan Gurwell Talley will have “Never Give up the Jump’, the story of her father, Lt. George L. Gurwell, executive officer and member of the 508th PIR.
Formerly from Toccoa, Beverly Chitwood Varnado will return with several of her books. Varnado, an award-winning author, and screenwriter is also a blogger and artist who creates to give others hope in the redemptive purposes of God.
Vietnam veteran Lt. Joe Alexander, 506th Currahee, will be on hand to sign author Ira Gardner’s recent new book, “Sign Here for Sacrifice,” the untold story of the Third Battalion.
This event is free to the public on Friday afternoon. There will be books available to purchase.
The USO Swing Dance will be on Friday night on Doyle Street in front of X-Factor Grill and R & R Terminal. The dance is sponsored by Toccoa VFW Post 4346.
The Living Historians and Reenactors will have encampments and displays all around the historic Stephens County Courthouse Friday and Saturday, Oct. 6-7.
Saturday morning events begin with the Currahee Challenge Run & Walk on Currahee Mountain.
You may register at https://runsignup.com/Race/GA/Toccoa/CurraheeChallenge5K10K or the morning of the race. Registration begins at 7 a.m. at Currahee Pavilion on Camp Toccoa at Currahee.
The annual Veteran’s Parade will begin at 1 p.m. on Doyle Street. All groups, business, or organizations are welcome to be a part of this tribute to all veterans and active military personnel.
Call Bob at 706-297-8319 or email bobmagee.286@gmail.com., for more information or register.
There will be a World War II re-enactment downtown 30 minutes after the end of the parade.
Saturday night is the annual Currahee Banquet at Camp Toccoa at Currahee.
There will be a meet and greet beginning at 6 p.m. and the program will begin at 7 p.m.
Guest speaker will be Jeremy C. Holm, author of “When Angels Fall” and “Down from Heaven.”
Both books were inspired by Holm’s grandfather, a World War II soldier with the 511th and trained at Camp Toccoa during the war.
Holm describes himself as “an American bobsled athlete and coach, military historian, journalist, keynote speaker, graphic designer, and advertising consultant.
“I wear a lot of hats (and helmets) but have loved every minute of my adventurous life.” Holm said. “I guess at the end of the day you could say I bleed red, white, and blue. I do love this country and have been honored to represent it in bobsled and represent and serve our veterans frequently.”
There will be a silent auction during the evening and winners will be announced after the program.
The weekend will end with a program “Lest we Forget” at Camp Toccoa at Currahee Sunday, Oct. 8 at 8:30 a.m.