We are going fully immersive this year. Participants will have the opportunity to watch a 40-minute film about a mission, and then ride in the plane and ‘conduct’ that mission.”Col. Ken Brown
CULLMAN – It was a celebratory atmosphere at the Cullman VFW post on Saturday, as Col. Ken Brown announced the continued growth of Cullman’s annual Veterans Day celebration, with Mayor Max A. Townson and others on-hand to hear the news.
The Veterans Day Celebration will follow in the previous few years’ footsteps and will provide those in the north Alabama region an opportunity to fly and tour a decommissioned war aircraft.
According to Brown, there will be eight 20-minute rides offered on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 4 and 5, at the Cullman Regional Airport.
The North American P-51 Mustang is flown by the Commemorative Air Force Dixie Wing, based in Peachtree City, Georgia. The rides are $1,595 per-ticket and may be purchased online at http://www.dixiewing.org/rides.htm.
“It is very important we give our local veterans and citizens an opportunity to purchase these rides, because once everyone in this area finds out about them, they will go quickly,” said Brown.
The P-51 aircraft will also be on display at Cullman Regional Airport on the afternoon of Saturday, Nov. 5. It will be parked next to a visiting B-17 bomber, the aircraft it escorted over Nazi-controlled Europe during World War II.
Rides in the B-17 will take place Friday-Sunday, Nov. 4-6. Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.eaa.org/en/eaa-shop/flight-experience/b17. A B-17 flight will set you back $449.
There will also be a room at the airport that will be set up as a WWII Air Force mission briefing room for visitors to tour.
“We are going fully immersive this year,” said Brown. “Participants will have the opportunity to watch a 40-minute film about a mission, and then ride in the plane and ‘conduct’ that mission.”
Townson stressed the importance of emphasizing patriotism with kids.
“We need to teach patriotism,” he said. “I think we need to continue to teach patriotism and respect.” The mayor attributed much of his success and accomplishments to his experience in the military.
This year’s event will once again be held in two locations- the Cullman Regional Airport and Sportsman Lake Park. Brown thanked Townson for assisting him in expanding the event.
“I’ve had people from all over come to our veterans’ park and say ‘I’ve never seen a park as nice as this one,’” said Townson.
The event will debut a new competition, a Rosie the Riveter competition, as well as a Rosie the Riveter Forum, which will feature any female residents of Cullman County who worked in some capacity to support the war effort during World War II. Fran Carter, the founder of the National Rosie the Riveter Association, has been invited to attend the forum. The competition will be held after the forum, and the winner will receive a $100 prize.
Those who are qualified and wish to participate in the forum or competition call Frances Cooper at 256-734-1532.
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