WWII Heritage Days Returns in October, Honoring Rosie the Riveters
May 5, 2021, (Peachtree City, GA)- Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Airbase Georgia is dedicating World War II Heritage Days 2021 in honor of all Rosie the Riveters, American women who worked in the military equipment factories during WWII. The new one-day event on Oct. 9, 2021, is the Airbase’s 17th annual open house and fundraising event at Atlanta Regional Airport – Falcon Field in Peachtree City, Ga.
Activities for the day include warbird rides, military vehicles on display, food trucks, a PX and living history displays and presentations. The event will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the CAF Airbase Georgia headquarters, 1200 Echo Ct., Peachtree City, Ga. As a special feature, CAF Airbase Georgia (formerly Dixie Wing) is inviting owners of vintage Stearman aircraft to participate in a fly-in for the day. The Airbase is currently restoring a Stearman biplane in honor of the Rosie the Riveters. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for ages 11-17. Children 10 and under are free.
“Thanks to the encouragement of our partners and local community, we have been inspired to bring back WWII Heritage Days so we can salute the Greatest Generation of the 1940s,” said CAF Airbase Georgia Leader Jim Buckley, “especially since we were designated a Top 20 Event by the Southeast Tourism Society last May.”
WWII Heritage Days is the oldest and largest WWII and 1940s-themed event in Georgia. This year CAF Airbase Georgia museum joined the WWII Heritage Trail in Georgia – one of nine stops throughout the state. This is the first year for the unit’s new designation as a CAF Airbase, which involves more community interaction and education programs. In recent years, the Airbase programs have been intently focused on education with a mission to inspire the next generation of pilots, aviation mechanics and citizens.
“In late 2019, we began working with local schools and aerospace employers to help solve the pilot and aviation mechanic shortage and also help teach World War II history at all grade levels,” Buckley said. “We also partnered with the tourism sector and a foundation is being established to assist in our growth efforts.”
“CAF Airbase Georgia operates World War II aircraft to honor the Greatest Generation, the heroes at home and in battle whose unprecedented efforts won WWII,” Buckley said. “We have seven operational aircraft and a new restoration project underway. We have created a strong reputation in our local community and throughout the aviation industry because of our commitment to our mission, ‘Keep ‘em Flying’. Our goal is to be embraced as Georgia's World War II Flying Museum. We do this through events and programs locally, regionally, and nationally.”
About the CAF Airbase Georgia Warbird Museum The CAF Airbase Georgia, based in Peachtree City, Ga., was founded in 1987. The Airbase, one of the largest units of the Commemorative Air Force, maintains and flies seven WWII aircraft including a P-51 Mustang, an FG-1D Corsair and rare types such as the SBD Dauntless dive bomber and P-63A Kingcobra. The unit, composed of 350 volunteers, is a part of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF), a non-profit organization. The unit relies on contributions of time and funds to carry out the mission of the CAF. Membership is open to everyone ages 18 years and older. For more information, go to https://airbasegeorgia.org.
Photo Caption: Celebrate the 1940s and salute the Greatest Generation during the return of WWII Heritage Days, Georgia’s oldest and largest World War II-theme event, Saturday, Oct 9, 2021.
