'Toccoa Men' from WWII return to northeast Georgia

TOCCOA - The dictionary defines a hero as a person who is admired for great or brave acts or fine qualities.<br /> <br /> This weekend, a group of heroes gathered in Toccoa for Currahee Military Weekend 2014.<br /> <br /> Included in the group were nearly a dozen World War II veterans who trained at Camp Toccoa - a couple who were returning to Toccoa for the first time since their training more than a half century ago.<br /> <br /> People from across the nation made their way to Stephens County for the event. In addition, a couple from Normandy and a man from Holland attended the weekend festivities.<br /> <br /> Stephens County Commissioner Dennis Bell welcomed attendees to Toccoa, paying special tribute to the men who trained at Camp Toccoa, also known as "Toccoa Men".<br /> <br /> "From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank each and every one of you gentlemen for what you have done, and your families for the sacrifice that they had to give," Bell said. "The families also sacrifice a lot when our ladies and gentlemen are out with the military."<br /> <br /> 1-506 Infantry Commander Lt. Col. David Waters from Fort Campbell, Ky., addressed the crowd.<br /> <br /> "First of all, we're still alive and well," Waters said. "There are still two active duty Currahee battalions.<br /> <br /> His comment was interrupted by applause.<br /> <br /> After talking a little bit about the sacrifices of veterans of all wars, and their families, and about his own military heritage and experience, Waters addressed the veterans in attendance.<br /> <br /> "The last thing I want to talk about is the legacy you have left for us," Waters said. "You all inspire us - the World War II Currahees, the Vietnam Currahees, and the Currahees that have been serving in the longest war we've had since 2001."<br /> <br /> He then transitioned to talk about the oldest group of veterans.<br /> <br /> "The World War II veterans, look at what they did," Waters said. "They jumped in at night in tracer-filled skies, behind enemy lines, and allowed the troops that were coming ashore to get ashore and make it in to their objectives beyond just the beach line," Waters said. <br /> <br /> Following his speech, Waters left the podium and shook hands with each World War II veteran seated under the nearby tent.<br /> <br /> Another emphasis of Saturday's ceremony was an announcement involving Toccoa Falls College.<br /> <br /> "Their mascot, for years, was the eagle," the master of ceremonies announced. "They started thinking about that and their relationship with the community, and I'm proud to announce, for our local folks who haven't heard and for you who may be visiting, Toccoa Falls College has chosen to rename their mascot in honor of Camp Toccoa and the Toccoa Men. They are now known as the Screaming Eagles."<br /> <br /> That announcement also was punctuated by applause and cheers.<br /> <br /> Perhaps the highlight of Saturday's ceremony, second only to the attendance by the World War II veterans, was a presentation from George Lee American Legion Post 532 in Hayesville, N.C.<br /> <br /> That presentation was the gift of a Tomb of the Unknown Soldier float built this year for the Memorial Day parade at the Legion's national convention in Charlotte, N.C.<br /> <br /> Post 532 member Lynn Richardson, who built that float, talked a little about how it came about.<br /> <br /> "They asked me if I would be a float for Memorial Day," Richardson said. "I couldn't think of what to do, so I said why not make the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier? I didn't draw it out or anything. I just started putting lumber on there and when it looked right I went to something else, and we pieced everything together - the wreath, the statue on the back we got that at a local concrete place, and it's just come together. Everybody helped me. The Legion was behind me all the way. They financed my trip to Charlotte to pull it in the national [convention] parade, and it's a real honor to do it."<br /> <br /> The float will be placed permanently in Toccoa and will be used in parades in Toccoa and across the region.<br /> <br /> "I think it's just wonderful," Richardson said. "I think it's great. I never imagined it would be in a museum. It's gone a lot father than I thought it would go, and I've just been going along for the ride really."<br /> <br /> Bell and others praised the contributions of Brenda Carlan, Cynthia Brown of the historical society, the volunteers who organized the event, and Connie Tabor and the Main Street program. <br /> <br /> A planned parachute jump set for Saturday morning had to be canceled due to high winds, but helicopter rides were offered at Toccoa's LeTourneau Field.<br /> <br /> <br /> Other weekend events included WWII Movie Night at the Schaefer Center, a chamber of commerce barbecue at First Baptist Church, WWII on Paper book signing, vintage hangar dance at the airport, the Veteran Parade, a meet and greet, banquet at Camp Toccoa at Currahee Saturday night, and a remembrance service at Camp Toccoa at Currahee Sunday morning.<br /> <br /> Guest speaker for Saturday night's banquet was Jim "Pee Wee" Martin, an original member of 506th G Co. PIR (Parachute Infantry Regiment), a Camp Toccoa veteran who shared with attendees his jump into France over Utah Beach the night prior to D-Day.<br /> <br /> Martin fought for 33 days in the Normandy campaign. In September 1944, he participated in the invasion of Holland, known as "Operation Market Garden," and was one of the defenders of Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge. The 101st Airborne Division finished their part of the war by securing Berchtesgaden, Germany.<br /> <br /> Martin is a recipient of the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and Distinguished Unit Citation.<br /> <br /> The Currahee Military Museum is located at 160 Alexander St., Toccoa, and is open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Saturday (last tour offered at 3:30), and from 1-4 p.m. Sunday.