Held Captive:
Untold War Stories from Heroes of the Sky
World War II POWs Chronicle Their Tales of POW Survival to Triumph at Fantasy of Flight’s October Living History Symposium
For more information, contact:
Mary Deatrick, DPR
(407) 332-5212, mary@deatrickpr.com
For photography, click here
POLK CITY, Fla. (Sept. 16, 2010) – For two unforgettable days, WWII Prisoners of War will re-open their traumatic pasts and make history books come to life as part of Fantasy of Flight’s newest installation of their Living History Symposium Series. "Airmen in Captivity: The POW Experience" features former WWII POWs willing to share their inspiring stories of courage over catastrophe. This is the first time the attraction has offered a POW-focused symposium as part of its incredibly popular series, now in its second year.
Worldwide, only a small fraction of the nearly 100,000 World War II POWs are alive today. Taking the stage at Fantasy of Flight’s Officers’ Club, several of these American heroes will field questions about piloting B-24s and other World War II aircraft, surviving flying trauma and the days and weeks that followed their captures. While their stories may disturb, perhaps even shock, they will offer a realistic depiction of what these fierce young pilots faced as they overcame a psychological battlefield of interrogation, isolation and perilous conditions.
Fantasy of Flight will host this riveting symposium on Friday, Oct. 8 and Saturday, Oct. 9.
"More than 60 years ago, these men were young pilots who risked not only their lives for our country, but had their psychological boundaries tested to unimaginable limits as they were held captive behind enemy lines." said Kim Long, General Manager of Fantasy of Flight. "We’re confident our guests will be inspired by the stories they hear."
The event includes an open-forum/question-and-answer session with decorated pilots George Drew, Rudy Froeschle and Lt. Colonel Ben Griffin:
- George Drew (Tampa, Fla.) -- Drew was a 2nd Lieutenant who flew B-24s and was part of the 464th Bomb Group, 779th Bomb Squadron, and 15th U.S. Army Air Force over Southern France. The 779th was one of the groups that George Patton personally liberated. Patton hoisted down a Nazi flag and replaced it with the American flag, freeing the soldiers at a German prison camp. Some 10,000 men were crying and laughing at the same time, as freedom became reality.
- Rudy Froeschle (Ft. Myers, Fla.) -- Froeschle was a Bomber pilot who joined the 384th Bomb Group, 544th Fighter Squadron in 1943 Germany. During his 2nd mission in Stuttgart, Germany his plane was gunned down and he was held captive for over two years. While in captivity, he taught German grammar and literature to college students. A snapshot of Rudy was profiled in a recent documentary on the History Channel called “Great Escapes of World War II”. The documentary highlighted POW’s battles’ with severe depression while in captivity. Rudy is shown with his tin can cooking stove behind a heavy barbed wire fence.
- Lt. Col. Ben Griffin (Winter Park, Fla.) -- Griffin was one of ten fighter pilots to go to the 4th Fighter Group with the 336th Bomb Squadron. After more than three dozen successful missions, Griffin was gunned down near Prague, Czechoslovakia. But not before he and the Fourth Fighter Group destroyed more than 1,000 enemy planes!
During each symposium, Fantasy of Flight will feature “Open Cockpit Days” where guests are invited to get up close and personal with several examples from the world’s largest private collection of vintage and restored aircraft and climb aboard for a once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunity.
In the meantime, the attraction is lining up the “2011 Living History Symposium Series” which will bring a bounty of new and exciting events including: "They Dared to Fly" Featuring Tuskegee Airmen, Thursday, Feb. 10 – Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011; "A Passionate Pursuit" Featuring WWII WASP (Women Air Force Service Pilots), Friday, March 4 - Saturday, March 5, 2011 and D-Day: The Invasion of Normandy, Friday, May 13 – Saturday, May 14, 2011.
But there are even more stories to be told and more lives to be touched. Fantasy of Flight is committed to finding more war heroes and bringing them to Central Florida’s premiere aviation attraction. WWII Pilots, Soldiers, Flight Nurses, WASP and even Rosie the Riveters are encouraged to contact Fantasy of Flight for upcoming “Living History Symposiums.” If interested, please contact Stephanie Conner at 863-984-3500 or sconner@fantasyofflight.com.
Cost of each Living History Symposium is included with Fantasy of Flight admission, which is $28.95 for adults, $14.95 for children ages 6-15, plus 7 percent sales tax. Children 5 and younger are free. Discounts are available for groups of 15 or more. Annual passes are available for $69.95 for adults, $39.95 for children ages 6–15, plus 7 percent sales tax, and are good for one year from the date of purchase. Open Cockpit Days are free for Annual Pass holders and $20 additional for paid guests.
For more information, call 863-984-3500
Fantasy of Flight is Central Florida's premier aviation-themed attraction showcasing vintage aircraft from the world’s largest private collection; themed immersion experiences; interactive exhibits; a tram tour of aircraft maintenance areas; Restoration and Backlot tours; Fun with Flight center for families and the country's only Aerial Demonstration of the Day (weather permitting) featuring a vintage plane. General admission also includes The Tuskegee Airmen – They Dared to Fly exhibit; the multimedia tribute to the WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots) – A Passionate Pursuit, a walking audio tour and many special events throughout the year.
Hours are 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily. General admission is $28.95 for adults, $26.95 for seniors ages 55 and over and $14.95 for children, ages 6-15, plus 7 percent sales tax. Annual passes are available for $69.95 for adults, $39.95 for children ages 6–15, plus 7 percent sales tax, and are good for one year from the date of purchase. Biplane rides, through Waldo Wright’s Flying Service, and hot air balloon rides, are available for an extra charge. For more information about Fantasy of Flight, call 863-984-3500 or visit www.fantasyofflight.com.