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NEW ORLEANS-BASED NATIONAL D-DAY MUSEUM
EXTENDS ITS REACH WITH 2006 VICTORY IN EUROPE TOURS
World War II Veterans
and Leading Historians Offer Personal Recollections
During Once-In-A-Lifetime Tour Through Europe
NEW ORLEANS – November 11, 2005 – “We are all in this together.” Americans from all walks of life said these famous words during World War II, when the country joined together to fight as one against fascism and preserve our nation’s democracy and freedom. Today that refrain is even more accurate as the New Orleans-based National D-Day Museum continues its mission of celebrating the American spirit despite a lengthy closure in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The Museum, designated by Congress as America’s National World War II Museum, goes international with two one-week “Victory in Europe” tours from June 1 to 16, 2006.
With the support of the Museum’s Director of Research, World War II scholars, veterans and French resistance fighters, travelers can learn first-hand about the solidarity exhibited in World War II with tours that follow the Allies from the beginning of the D-Day invasion plans in London through the final days of the war at Hitler’s famed Eagle’s Nest in Berchtesgaden, Germany.
“The very essence of The National D-Day Museum’s educational mission always has been to convey the optimism and strength of the American spirit,” noted Museum President and CEO Dr. Gordon H. “Nick” Mueller. “Indeed, after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina and the hardships we anticipate during the rebuilding of our great city, it’s only fitting that The National D-Day Museum reinforce the messages of courage, teamwork, sacrifice, and ingenuity that characterized the American people during World War II. We are bringing the Museum to the people with a variety of virtual and experiential programs, and our ‘Victory in Europe’ travel series enables us to offer a one-of-a-kind experience to today’s generations while continuing the expansion of our campus and the programs as planned prior to the hurricane.”
Each week-long tour represents a rare opportunity to hear the personal recollections from World War II veterans, most of whom are in their eighties. The tours, led by the Museum’s Director of Research, Martin K.A. Morgan, will include lecturers and presentations by World War II veterans Harold “Hal” Baumgarten, 116th Infantry Regiment of the 29th Infantry Division and George H. Leidenheimer, 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment/82nd Airborne Division, as well as French resistance fighters, and native experts in Luxembourg and Germany. Travelers may choose either week, or both.
Part I: June 1-8, 2006 London / Normandy / Paris
- Dinner aboard the HMS Belfast with Viscount Montgomery of Alamein, son of General Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery
- Churchill’s War Cabinet Rooms & The Imperial War Museum
- Crossing the English Channel
- First hand account of the June 6, 1944 landing on Omaha Beach by veteran Harold “Hal” Baumgarten, 116th Infantry Regiment of the 29th Infantry Division
- Tours of Pegasus Bridge, Ponte-du-Hoc and Ste. Mere-Eglise
- Walk the Beaches: Omaha, Gold, Sword, Juno & Utah
- Attend the official ceremony at Omaha Beach on June 6
Part II: June 8-16, 2006 Paris / Battle of the
Bulge / Hitler’s Eagles Nest
- Personal account of the Battle of the Bulge and Operation Varsity by George Leidenheimer, Jr., B Company/507th Parachute Infantry Regiment/82nd Airborne Division.
- Reims, Luxembourg & Bastogne
- Special tour by Roland Gaul, founder and curator of Le Musée National D’Histoire Militaire (The National Museum of Military History)
- Walk the Siegfried Line
- Dachau concentration camp
- Hitler’s private headquarters in the Reich’s Chancellery
- Hitler’s infamous alpine hideaway, the Eagle’s Nest
Both all-inclusive tour packages include accommodations with private bath or shower, hotel taxes, porterage and service charges, breakfasts and at least four dinners, excursions aboard first class air-conditioned motor coach, all entrance fees to museums and attractions, full-time historians and logistical escorts, presentations by guest speakers and lecturers. The London-Paris tour (June 1st to 8th) begins at $3,990 per person, and the Paris-Berchtesgaden tour begins at $4,490 per person (June 8th to 16th). The combined tour begins at $7,990 per person.
For more information about The National D-Day Museum and the Victory in Europe Tour series, visit the web site at www.ddaymuseum.org, call: 1-877-813-3329, ext. 257 or contact travel@ddaymuseum.org.
About The National D-Day Museum, America’s National World War II Museum
Congress officially designated The National D-Day Museum in New Orleans as “America’s National World War II Museum” on September 25, 2003. The resolution expressed the United States Government’s support for the New Orleans Museum in continuing preservation and interpretation of artifacts, documents and history as well as the education of American people about experience in combat and on the home front during the World War II years.
In 2004, The National D-Day Museum launched its national capital campaign that will triple the size of the existing Museum over the next five to seven years. The expansion will feature exhibits that cover all of the theaters and service branches of World War II and include a national center for research on the War.
Editor’s Note: Interviews with veterans and historians, photos and suggested reading available upon request.
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