Published: November 05, 2009 09:50 pm      

How it was

Join us for Cumberland Goes to War celebration

Cumberland Goes to War, which begins today, is not just a celebration of those who fought more than six decades ago in the most terrible war this world has seen.

It also will remind of us how ordinary citizens kept going on what back then was called The Home Front.

Interpreters dressed in 1940s clothing will serve as hosts at the Brooke Whiting House of Art on Washington Street, and framed vintage newspapers and other memorabilia — including an honor roll listing those who served during World War II — will be on display at the Queen City Transportation Museum. The Fort Cumberland Emporium has decorated its windows with items from the era.

Some of the downtown restaurants will offer beverage and food specials, including Spam and eggs.

Entertainment of the era includes tributes to the Andrews Sisters, Abbott & Costello and a tribute Big Band show.

Re-enactors will bivouac at Canal Place, a visit by one of the world’s three B-25 Mitchell medium bombers still flying is scheduled, and veterans will be on hand to tell us some of their memories of the war.

Jordan Schupfer was picked out of several candidates to portray Cumberland Goes To War’s version of Rosie the Riveter.

It’s quite an honor, considering that Rosie is one of our most memorable icons, representing millions of women who worked tirelessly on the assembly line, doing their part to win the war.

Please come out and help us remember how America coped with some of its darkest days.

The celebration runs through Nov. 15. A complete schedule of events is available at www.cumberlandgoestowar.com .