Contact: Cathy Lazarus
ROLL CALL – Friends of Camp Hearne
PO BOX 346, Hearne, TX 77859
979-814-0733
clazarus@camphearne.com
www.camphearne.com |
For Immediate Release – May 28, 2019
[Hearne, Texas]
Remembering D-Day Event at Camp Hearne
Camp Hearne will hold its annual Open House this Saturday, June 8 in remembrance of D-Day when Allied operations stormed the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944. The loss of human lives was very high. We honor those service men and women and the civilian lives lost during this critical operation by remembering this special day in our history.
If you have not visited our WWII Prisoner-of-War Camp exhibit, this is a great opportunity to come by and let us tell you the story of how a small rural town in Central Texas became “home” to thousands of German soldiers, a few captured in days following the Normandy invasion. Most visitors find our story of wartime decency fascinating and leave saying, “I did not know that.” This year, we are especially fortunate to have a former guard, a member of one of the Military Police Escort units who secured the Camp, available to share his experience at Camp Hearne.
Saturday, June 8, offers the added attraction of visiting with our living historians, people who will share their impressions of a day in the life of WWII military personnel. Our Allies are well represented with British paratroopers bivouacked on the grounds who proudly display their British uniforms, gear and vehicles. Also, Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery will be on hand. Our American WACs (Women’s Army Corps) will man a field hospital exhibit. Our U.S. Army Signal Corps’ encampment will demonstrate equipment used to document events and communicate on the battlefield. Truly, a cornucopia of amazing WWII objects used to conduct US military operations in Europe and the Pacific will be on display.
Our “Motor Pool” (weather permitting) will include several vintage vehicles carefully preserved by a group of passionate members of the Lone Star Military Vehicle Preservation Association. They will also have a large display of weapons and gear.
Our barracks will host a special exhibit of the Army Air Force Band conductor, Major Glenn Miller. Together with photographs, books and period military issued instruments, Dan Hermann will tell the story of Glenn Miller, the soldier whose music conjures up WWII era memories at home and abroad.
Of course, you will be able to visit our WWII POW Camp Exhibit and walk the trails to prisoner-built remains. This is a truly unique experience–walking in the footsteps of American GIs as well as German soldiers on Texas soil.
Admission is FREE! Gates open 10am to 4pm. Camp Hearne is located northwest of Hearne on FM 485. Visit camphearne.com for more information or contact Cathy Lazarus at 979-314-7012.