Special Events Planned for D-Day 75th Anniversary

Special events are being planned in Toccoa for the 75th Anniversary of D-Day.

The Board of Directors for Camp Toccoa at Currahee, Inc. will hold a D-Day Banquet on Friday, May 31st.

Brenda Carlin, Currahee Military Museum Director says guest speaker will be U.K. Native and broadcaster Steve Matchett, who will be sharing the impact WWII had in his homeland before, during, and after WWII.

“There are so few WWII veterans still alive and would be willing to speak so this year we’re doing something a little different,” Carlin explained. “We have a gentleman who is English and he’s going to tell us what the British went through before Americans were involved before and during WWII.”

Matchett is a long-time Formula 1 and Fox News sportscaster as well as a prolific author.

Carlin said there will also be a silent auction to help fund future and ongoing Camp Toccoa Currahee projects.  Tickets to the banquet are $50 and the deadline to reserve tickets for the banquet is Tuesday, May 28th at 4p.

You can purchase tickets at the Currahee Military Museum gift shop, from a Board Member or online at: https://www.camptoccoaatcurrahee.org/events .

Then on Saturday, June 1, Carlin said the public is invited to attend a special ceremony of tribute and thanks to the men and women who served overseas and on the home front during WWII.

Carlin said there will also be other events that day, but kicking off that Saturday will be the D-Day run.

“We’ve got over 200 runners registered right now and that’s about 50 more than we normally do. And some people don’t run, they just walk it. They just want to do it in memory of D-Day. And our runner say it’s satisfying to say that you’ve done that,” Carlin said.

Carlin says if you don’t want to do the run, you are invited to come to Camp Toccoa for other events and displays going on that day.

“The big attraction will be the re-enactors, living historians. There will be a lot of encampments set up around and they will be doing a battle re-enactment. The Georgia State Defense Force will have an exhibit. We’ve got authors of military books here. We’e got food vendors and other businesses will be set up with informational booths. And the Georgia National Guard will be here with an ‘escape room,’ which is very popular right now,” Carlin said.

Events start at 4p Saturday, June 1 and run til 4p.

There will also be a silent auction to help fund future and ongoing Camp Toccoa Currahee projects.

If you or your business would like to donate items, please call 706-282-5055 or bring them by the Currahee Military Museum Gift Shop.