Escape to Dreamsville USA, America's Homefront, for the American Soldiers Homecoming Aug 7-9, 2009

July 6, 2009 - PRLog -- press release
Dennison Railroad Depot Museum to Host
Third Annual American Soldiers Homecoming Festival from August 7 - 9
Event to Feature Traveling Vietnam Wall, Ohio Flags of Honor, and WWII Battle Reenactments

Dennison, Ohio, July 6, 2009.  From August 7 through 9, 2009, the Dennison Railroad Depot Museum in Dennison, Ohio will hold its Third Annual American Soldiers Homecoming Festival, which is held each year to honor and remember American heroes past and present, who have served both on the homefront and in theatres of operation around the world.
This year’s event will focus upon thanking our Vietnam Veterans.  Two focal points of the weekend will be the Traveling Memorial Vietnam Wall and the Ohio Flags of Honor display, both free for viewing and open 24 hours a day throughout the festival.  The wall will be escorted into town, traveling from Cambridge through Uhrichsville and then Dennison on Thursday, August 6, arriving with its motorcycle escort at approximately 4p.m.   The Ohio Flags of Honor will be on display across from the Dennison Depot at Laurel Grocers.  An opening ceremony for posting the actual 196 Flags of Honor is planned Friday, August 7th at 5p.m.  
Thirty-one hundred wooden crosses made by local veterans will also be on display representing all Ohio Vietnam Veterans who were killed in Vietnam.  The names of these veteran will be read, and wreaths will be placed on the crosses for all local Tuscarawas County veterans who died in the conflict.  All veterans’ names will also be read at the Ohio Flags of Honor opening ceremony.  A variety of programs also will be held throughout the Homecoming at the site of the Traveling Wall.
Ticket Prices and Schedule of Events
The Homecoming event is FREE for all veterans, current military and WWII Canteen volunteers.  Veterans and current military personnel are encouraged to call and register in advance to receive their ticket packets.  Veterans are encouraged to ride in the ticker tape parade and be recognized.  Transportation in the parade will be provided.  To register, contact the Depot.
Battle passes are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, $6 for students 7 to 17, and under 7 are free.  Battle Passes are good for the entire event.  Wendy Zucal, museum director, notes that this is a tremendous bargain as Museum admission alone is regularly $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and $4 for students.  Family Battle Passes are also available at $25 per family.  
To receive a detailed schedule of events for the American Soldiers Homecoming or to purchase Battle Passes, contact the Depot.
Festival Events and Highlights
Many (but not all) of the Homecoming events are free including the Traveling Vietnam Wall, Ohio Flags of Honor, Canteen, and bands.  Food and souvenir vendors will also be participating.
The Homecoming always includes WWII history.  Dennison was the site of a WWII Homefront Salvation Army Servicemen’s Canteen that served 1.5 million soldiers and earned Dennison the nickname “Dreamsville, USA”.  To this day, there is always hot coffee in the Railroad Depot lobby for any visitor, keeping the homefront hospitality alive.  Throughout the Festival, the Canteen will be offering free hot coffee and cookies to visitors.
Three WWII battle reenactments will take place along with a youth reenactment inside the Homecoming’s Battlefield.  Each year the battle plans change and this year, WWII trenches and bunkers will be added to the battle site.  A reenactor playing the role of General Dwight D. Eisenhower will also be on the battlefield for an encore performance.
Other highlights of the Homecoming include a ticker tape parade, USO dance with the big band Recollections, speakers and roundtable discussions about the Vietnam War, after effects and the Korean War troop train wreck, 1970s musical show by the Trumpet in the Land Singers, dancing by Teresa’s School of Dance, military exhibits in the Masonic Temple, and all the exhibits in the Dennison Railroad Depot Museum, including its new feature exhibit, “Presidents, Trains and Whistle Stops”, which includes photographs and the history of all the presidents that stopped in Dennison.
Battle Passes are required for the general public for those who want to attend the battle reenactments, USO dance, Museum, roundtables and speakers, living history and WWII campground.

About the Ohio Flags of Honor Display
Currently, the Flags of Honor display consists of a cordoned areas in which 197 Flags of Honor are posted in honor of those men and women from Ohio who have given their lives fighting the global war on terrorism, primarily in Irag and Afghanistan.  These flags are surrounded by over 350 tribute flags sponsored by veterans’ organizations, corporate sponsors, etc.  All flags are 3x5 feet and mounted on 10-foot poles set 5 feet apart.  This creates a very impressive and moving display that covers many thousands of square feet.  The public is encouraged to walk among the flags and pay their respects to Ohio’s fallen, who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country. This display is sponsored by the Village of Dennison, and done with the support of Laurel Grocers.

Personal Exhibits
One of the highlights of the Homecoming Festival has been the opportunity for visitors to bring their precious family mementoes from loved ones to put on exhibit and share with other visitors.  Once again, exhibit space will be available in the Masonic Temple, across from the Dennison Depot, where these photographs, uniforms and other keepsakes can be safely displayed throughout the festival.  This is open to the public, and items can be brought to the Dennison Depot prior to the Homecoming Tuesday through Sunday to be logged in.  All items
   will be returned immediately following the Homecoming.
About the Museum
The Dennison Railroad Depot Museum, located in the center of the Homecoming Festival, houses a restaurant, gift shop and museum.  The Museum fills the largest portion of the Depot and continues throughout a new wing inside railroad cars attached to the Depot.  Many family fun activities can be found in the Children’s Interactive Railroad Car, Presidents exhibit and Model Train Room.  A rare WWII hospital car restored with Save America’s Treasures dollars houses the Museum’s WWI and WWII Canteen collection. A popular “Bing Scavenger Hunt” is available for kids, named after Dennison’s heroic WWI mascot, Private Bulldog Bing.
Festival Location
The Dennison Railroad Depot Museum is located in Tuscarawas County where State Routes 250, 800 and 36 meet. It is 15 minutes from New Philadelphia.  Dennison is exactly halfway between Pittsburgh and Columbus and 40 minutes south of Canton.
Other Nearby Attractions
Other attractions that might be of interest to visitors include Warthers Carvings, Amish Country, Trumpet in the Land, Historic Schoenbrunn Village, and the Uhrichsville Clay Museum and Water Park.
Media Inquiries
Please direct any media inquiries to:

Wendy Zucal, Director
Dennison Railroad Depot Museum
400 Center Street
P.O. Box 11
Dennison, Ohio  44621
Email: depot@tusco.net
740-922-6776
740-922-4929 FAX
877-278-8020 (toll free)
www.dennisondepot.org

Note: An electronic version of this press release can be emailed to you. You can get one by sending a request to us at depot@tusco.net.  Photographs are also available on request.

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1873 PRR Railroad Depot restored that houses a museum, restaurant and gift shop in Dennison, Ohio, nicknamed Dreamsville USA for WWI and WWII Servicemen's Canteens that served 1.5 million soldiers. Open year round with calendar of special events.