Nevada County has rolled out the red carpet this week to honor those who served by proclaiming Nov. 5-13 as Military Appreciation Week, marked by a Veterans Day ceremony in Grass Valley, a rare chance to fly aboard a World War II airplane and an opportunity to save money thanks to discounts from community businesses.
According to census data, Nevada County is home to nearly 8,000 veterans.
“Military Appreciation Week engages the local community and businesses to honor all active duty, reservists, retired, veterans, and Gold Star Families in the county by providing discounts or special offers. A list of supporting businesses is available at NevadaCountyCA.gov/MilitaryAppreciation.”
According to the county website, Military Appreciation Week is in collaboration with the Nevada County Consolidated Veterans Council, Beale AFB, Nevada County Board of Supervisors, The City of Grass Valley, local Chambers of Commerce (Grass Valley, Nevada City, Truckee, and Penn Valley), The Grass Valley Downtown Association, Sierra Harvest, The Nevada County Economic Resource Council, and The Union newspaper.
“We are one of two counties in the United States that has a program like this, and I am grateful for the community involvement and support from local businesses,” said Nevada County Veterans Services Officer David West. “The county has a long history of honoring its veterans, and these businesses participate year-round with discounts for veterans.”
VETERANS DAY CEREMONY
Grass Valley’s Frank Gallino American Legion Post 130 will host a veterans ceremony at 10 a.m. Friday at the Veterans Memorial Building, 255 S. Auburn St., Grass Valley.
Following the ceremony, a $10 lunch will be served downstairs in “The Bunker,” with free Bloody Mary’s for veterans. The celebration includes karaoke from 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Visit https://www.gvlegionpost130.org/ for information.
RARE FLIGHT OPPORTUNITY
Grass Valley native and airline pilot Juan Browne, in conjunction with the Golden Empire Flying Association, has laid plans for an authentic and original World War II vintage Douglas C47 Dakota, the Military transport version of the DC-3, to arrive at the Nevada County Airport on the morning of Veterans Day.
The C47, named “Betsy’s Biscuit Bomber,” is operated by the Estrella Warbird Museum located at the Paso Robles Municipal Airport and will offer rides to the public, as well as a nostalgic and educational experience, a first of its kind for Nevada County residents on Veterans Day.
Considered by General Dwight D. Eisenhower as one of the most vital tools to success, the Douglas C-47 operated from every continent and participated in every major battle during the Second World War. While the legendary DC-3’s primary achievement was to bring profitability to the airline industry in the mid-1930s, its rugged military version as the C-47 cemented that legacy above the battlefields of World War II. Throughout their long and distinguished military career, C-47s were utilized in numerous roles, including hauling cargo, transporting troops, dropping paratroops, towing gliders in all weather and wartime conditions.
Four flights per day are scheduled for Friday and Saturday, November 11-12 to include a forty-five minute flight path over Western Nevada County. Flight times are available for each day at 9 a.m., 10:30 .m., 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Reserve a seat for a $200 donation to the Golden Empire Flying Association at the Beam Easy-living Center, located at 422 Henderson St. in Grass Valley. You can also reserve a “will call” ticket by calling the Beam Easy-living Center at (530) 273-5166.
Read the full story: https://www.theunion.com/news/veterans-day-c-47-flights-reserve-your-seat-on-a-vintage-wwii-era-aircraft/