FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
World War II was not just a consequential event in Europe, Africa and Asia. It also transformed Hampton Roads, during the four years of the conflict and for the decades that have followed.
The Virginia Beach Forum will commemorate that era while honoring surviving members of the so-called Greatest Generation in a program called World War II: Heroes and the Homefront on November 7 at 7:30 p.m. at the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts. Towne Bank is the presenting sponsor. Walsh Tops is reception sponsor. The Virginia Beach Public Library is providing content support.
That Thursday evening, guests will hear music from the era, performed by the Glen Boswick Sound of Swing band and 88-year-old David Kennedy, a charismatic local crooner and tap dancer. Ezra Hill, who entertained members of the Tuskegee Airmen in the 1940’s, will sing the National Anthem. The audience will view a clip from a stunning documentary called Honor Flight, about a national organization that sends World War II veterans to the memorial for that conflict in Washington, D.C. They will have an opportunity to help that group’s local chapter, which annually sends four buses of veterans to the nation’s capital, all with donated funds.
Former Congressman and World War II fighter pilot G. William Whitehurst will join local military author Amy Yarsinske and Virginian-Pilot history writer Paul Clancy on stage to talk about how the Hampton Roads area dealt with the sudden influx of hundreds of thousands of troops and shipyard workers and the impact that had on roads, schools, mass transit, public safety and human services. And longtime military reporter Mike Gooding of WVEC TV, the media sponsor for the evening, will premier a new video he has produced about Camp Ashby, a German Prisoner of War camp located on the 22-acre site of what is today Loehmann’s Plaza, the Meyera Oberndorf Library and Willis Wayside Furniture.
“We want to make sure that every World War II veteran in the area is able to attend for free along with a family member,” says Baxter Ennis, President of the Virginia Beach Forum, which begins its 2013-14 season with this event. “That is why we are working with Honor Flight and other veterans organizations to promote this. We have reduced single ticket prices for adults to $35 for this event only and $10 for students. We hope everyone will come to salute the veterans in attendance as well as learn about a pivotal chapter in our local area’s past.” Veterans and family members seeking free tickets should call 757-504-4327.
Virginia Beach Forum past president Joel Rubin is producing the event and will be the emcee. Season tickets and event sponsorships are available, which include promotion and tickets to a dessert reception for all participants including the World War II veterans in attendance. Information is available at www.vabeachforum.com.
Other programs for the 2013-14 season, which is presented by Norfolk State University with financial support from the Virginia Beach Arts and Humanities Commission, are pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson on February 12, 2014 and actress Ashley Judd on March 19, 2014.
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