News Release

April 8 Event to bring Flyover, POWs, Military leaders, Drill Team, and more

Date: March 28, 2018
Contact: Jody Mays, 229-924-0343 ext. 115

Release Date: 3/28/18
Contacts:    Jody Mays, [e-mail], 229 924-0343, ext. 115

NR18-06    
             
    April 8 Event to bring Flyover, POWs, Military leaders, Drill Team, and more
20^th Anniversary of National POW Museum at Andersonville National Historic Site

ANDERSONVILLE, Georgia – Flyover of an L-19 aircraft and a UH-1 Huey helicopter will be one of the highlights of events to recognize the 20-year anniversary of the National Prisoner of War (POW) Museum at Andersonville National Historic Site. The Friends of Army Aviation-Ozark will fly the aircraft over the site and then land the helicopter on site for a static display.

Military and political leaders, veterans, and others will gather to honor former POWs and the 20-year history of the only museum tasked by Congress to preserve and share the stories of Americans held prisoner in service to their country. Distinguished guests include U.S. Air Force General Joseph L. Lengyel, Chief of the National Guard Bureau and member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Major General Craig C. Crenshaw, Commanding General of the Marine Corps Logistics Command; U.S. Representative Sanford Bishop; and Kathy Burns, Field Representative for U.S. Senator David Perdue. Former POWs from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, and Iraq will attend. The American Legion Riders will also attend as part of their 2018 Unity/Legacy Ride.

Former POW speakers will share their experiences. Colonel David Eberly (USAF Ret.) was the senior allied POW of the Gulf War. Captain William Robinson (USAF Ret.), captured in Vietnam, was the longest held enlisted soldier in American military history. Seymour Lichtenfeld fought as a combat infantryman in World War II and was captured during the Battle of the Bulge. Each will share his amazing and inspiring story.

Major Nicholas Holten, Commander of the U.S. Army SERE School, will present a program about Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape training. The day’s events will also include performances by the Lee County High School NJROTC Armed Drill Team, the U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence, and bagpiper Colonel Dan Gillan (USMC Ret.).

Please join us on Sunday, April 8^th, as we gather to honor those who endured the loss of their freedoms to protect ours. All events 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

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