News Release

20th Anniversary Event Guest Speakers

Date: February 2, 2018
Contact: Jody Mays, 229-924-0343 ext. 115

Release Date: 2/2/18 

Contacts:   Jody Mays, [e-mail], 229 924-0343, ext. 115

NR18-03                     

World War II and Gulf War POWs to Speak at National POW Museum 20^th Anniversary Event

Event to occur at Andersonville National Historic Site on Sunday, April 8, 2018

ANDERSONVILLE, Georgia – The National Prisoner of War Museum at Andersonville National Historic Site is dedicated to preserving and sharing the stories of American Prisoners of War (POWs) from the Revolutionary War to today. Since opening in 1998, the museum has helped over 2.6 million visitors better understand the sacrifices and experiences of American POWs.

On Sunday, April 8, 2018, former POWs, veterans, and others will gather at Andersonville National Historic Site to commemorate the 20^th Anniversary of the National Prisoner of War Museum. Featured speakers will include Seymour Lichtenfeld, held prisoner by Germany during World War II, and David Eberly, a former POW during Desert Storm.

Mr. Lichtenfeld served his country as a U.S. Army rifleman in both airborne and combat infantry units during World War II. During the Battle of the Bulge, his unit was surrounded. After three days, with no food or ammunition left, he was captured on December 19, 1944. He spent more than five months as a Prisoner of War in Germany. He has been awarded the Combat Infantryman’s badge, Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Prisoner of War Medal, World War II Battle of the Bulge Medal, European Theater of Operations Medal with three battle clusters, and many others.

Colonel (ret) Eberly was the senior-ranking Allied Prisoner of War in Baghdad during the Gulf War in 1991. He served as a U.S. Air Force airman and participated in the initial air strike into Iraq. On January 19, 1991, his Strike Eagle was shot down. After evading the enemy for three nights, he was captured and held prisoner for 43 days. He has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and many others.

Please join us on Sunday, April 8^th, as we gather to honor the sacrifices and service of Mr. Lichtenfeld, Colonel (ret) Eberly, and other former POWs and veterans. Activities begin at 1:30 pm, when the U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence Ceremonial Band will perform. At 2:00 pm, Mr. Lichtenfeld and Colonel (ret) Eberly will share their stories during a commemorative ceremony. Other planned activities include a performance by the Lee County High School Military Drill Team; a Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) program; a military flyover; and display of a UH-1 Huey helicopter. All activities are free and open to the public.

Andersonville National Historic Site is located 10 miles south of Oglethorpe, GA and 10 miles northeast of Americus, GA on Georgia Highway 49. The national park features the National Prisoner of War Museum, Andersonville National Cemetery and the site of the historic Civil War prison, Camp Sumter. ­Andersonville National Historic Site is the only national park within the National Park System to serve as a memorial to all American prisoners of war. Park grounds are open from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. The National Prisoner of War Museum is open 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., daily. Admission is free. For more information on the park, call 229 924-0343, or visit at www.nps.gov/ande/ Visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AndersonvilleNPS, Twitter www.twitter.com/andeNHS

NPS

About the National Park Service: More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 409 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov Visit us on Facebook www.facebook.com/nationalparkservice, Twitter www.twitter.com/natlparkservice, and YouTube www.youtube.com/nationalparkservice.