History Lessons Come Alive at Victory Days

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 1, 2008

From home front to war front, Victory Days authentically tells the story of WWII America

Terre Haute, IN—Two thousand area school children will descend upon the grounds of Victory Days on Friday, October 3 to get a glimpse of real-life during WWII. And you, too, are invited to come and see what the buzz is all about as Friday will serve as the official Media Day. Friday is a full program day at Victory Days, complete with Home Front Displays, War Front Exhibits, and special guests on-hand to tell their personal stories. The gates open at 8:30 am and close at 5pm.

Dr. Suellen K. Reed, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Indiana Department of Education, has agreed that Victory Days 2008 represents an outstanding educational opportunity for Indiana school students. Dr. Reed’s office supplied resources to the Victory Days’ team to assist in program development in support of State’s Core Standards of Education.

The Indiana House of Representatives and Indiana Senate have passed Concurrent Resolution #28 that recognizes Victory Days as a living history museum designed to honor, preserve, and perpetuate the memory and sacrifices made by Americans during World War II.

“We are thrilled with the high number of class registrations in our inaugural year--the teachers are very enthusiastic about the opportunity to bring history to life for their students, and it’s shaping up to be a very big day,” reports Diana Streevey King, Victory Days General Manager. “We are looking forward to sharing Victory Days with school children for years to come.”

Students will enjoy an educational field trip that inspires excellence, enhances understanding of American and foreign history surrounding WWII, and puts the experiences of 1940’s Americans into present day perspective. Teachers can customize their own learning adventure by incorporating a range of war front and home front exhibits including: Active U.S. Army airfield, battle re-enactments and mission briefings, battalion field hospital, period cars, tractors and farm equipment, mess operations, 1940’s living room, victory quilts, rationing, salvage, and live radio broadcasts.

Parents and Grandparents can help students prepare for their field trip to Victory Days by sharing some of their own memories from the 1940’s. Better yet, plan to come back on Saturday or Sunday and bring the entire family for a time of story sharing and fun.

Wal-Mart is the primary sponsor for School Day through their participation in our School Scholarship program. More scholarship dollars are needed to offset the costs of developing these amazing authentic living museum exhibits. Participating in the scholarship program is easy and information is available at www.VictoryDays.org .

Victory Days is a not-for-profit educational organization recognized under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Proceeds benefit the Wabash Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross and the Victory Days Living Museum. For more information about Victory Days visit www.VictoryDays.org or call 812-669-1717.

Contacts:
Linda Sparks, Promotions Coordinator
317-508-0481, Linda@LindaSparks.com
Diana Streevey King, Event Coordinator
317-281-6918,DSK@VictoryDays.org
Darrel Zeck, Media Coordinator
812-240-7783 Darrel.Zeck@TerreHaute.IN.Gov