By Susan Lanning
Greenville, TX – To honor and remember our nation's military heroes, Audie Murphy Days will kick off Friday, June 24th. The annual two day event, which is free and open to the public, is hosted by the Audie Murphy/American Cotton Museum in conjunction with local military service organizations to celebrate Audie Leon Murphy, the most decorated soldier of World War II, as well as military veterans and those currently serving our country.
Audie Murphy Days, June 24th and 25th, centers on Audie Murphy, a native son of Hunt County, war hero, Hollywood film star and accomplished songwriter. This year's events will consist of a variety of ceremonies, music, displays, speakers and demonstrations. The keynote speaker will be General Chris Adams, a retired U.S. Air Force Major General and former Chief of Staff, Strategic Air Command. In addition, G Company will have a WWII outdoor living history encampment at the Museum and Greenville Superintendant Don Jeffries will talk about what WWI was like from the perspectives of veterans of the 63rd Battalion, 5th Army. Stuntmen Autry and West Ward, both of whom were in some films with Audie Murphy, will also be here.
Friday's events will be held at the Fletcher Warren Civic Center at 5501 Hwy 69 South in Greenville beginning at 8:30 a.m. and will close the evening with Audie Bingo and a concert performed by the Two Irish Tenors. The concert (dinner is included) is one of the few events that are not free. Tickets are now on sale and cost $10 for adults/$5 for children 5-12 yrs. old. Saturday's events will begin at the Civic Center at 8:30 a.m. and will move to the Museum located at 600 I-30 East in Greenville, at 11:00 a.m. A regular admission charge of $6 adults, $4 seniors and $2 students will apply to enter the Museum. Re-admittance for the weekend into the Museum will be free. These are just some of the activities taking place. Contact the Audie Murphy/American Cotton Museum at (903) 450-4502 or visit the website at www.cottonmuseum.com for additional information. Funding for this event is provided in part by the City of Greenville Hotel/Motel Occupancy Tax Revenues.