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Berlin Airlift

60th Anniversary Commemoration

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Berlin Airlift exhibit to commemorate American-German friendship

INDIANAPOLIS EXECUTIVE AIRPORT – The years 2008 and 2009 mark the 60^th Anniversary of the Berlin Airlift, one of the most important events in the history of U.S.-German relations. As such, the Commemorative Air Force will sponsor several events on Sept. 11 and 12 to commemorate one of the world’s greatest humanitarian feats. The events will take place at the Indianapolis Executive Airport at 11329 E. State Road 32, Zionsville.

The commemorative campaign and exhibit are titled “The Berlin Airlift – A Legacy of Friendship” and is supported by the German Embassy and German Consulates across the United States. Six decades after the Airlift, the motto “Friends Always” is being used to commemorate the 322-day achievement. In 1948, Soviet forces blocked the Western portion of Berlin, prompting the U.S. and its Allies to fly in provisions for West Berlin’s 2 million residents. The task of supplying the city with 700-12,940 tons of provisions daily quickly turned into a continuous conveyor belt of planes landing at West Berlin’s Tempelhof Airport . “The Airlift is considered one of the greatest humanitarian actions of all times. It is almost unbelievable that the United States and her Allies were able to sustain the city of Berlin for 322 days,” said Klaus Scharioth, German Ambassador to the United States.

Festivities on September 11-12, 2009 include:

· A Berlin Airlift Dinner Dance with the Star Lighters 16 piece big band on Friday night. Proceeds from the dinner will benefit the Lutheran Child & Family Service and will feature Berlin Airlift Veteran, William E. Morrissey, Senior Master Sergeant, U.S. Air Force, retired.

· An exhibit featuring stunning black-and-white photographs will be on display at the Indianapolis Executive Airport during the dinner dance on Friday and all day on Saturday.

· On Friday and Saturday, visitors will also be able to ride on the “Black Sparrow,” a C-47 that carried paratroopers into Normandy’s Drop Zone “D” on D-Day in 1944. Three 30 min. flights carrying seven passengers each will take off each day. Tickets are $100 and are first-come, first-served.

For more information on the “Friends Always” campaign, visit http://www.germany.info/Vertretung/usa/en/10__Press__Facts/03__Infocus/01__Airlift/__Airlift.html. For ticket information and reservations, contact Carl Winkler at carl@montgomeryaviation.net.

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