Annual Camp Gordon Johnston Days
The Camp Gordon Johnston Association and WWII Museum celebrates the 24th Annual Camp Gordon Johnston Reunion Days on March 8th – 10th in Carrabelle, FL. A weekend of meaningful events is planned especially to honor our country’s remaining WWII veterans as well as recognize and salute all veterans from WWII to present. All veterans, their family and friends as well as the general public are invited to Carrabelle for the celebrations.
On Friday, March 8, from 1:30 to 4:30 pm, Camp Gordon Johnston will be hosting the Veteran Welcome and Registration at the Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum, 1873 HWY 98 West, Carrabelle. All WWII to present day veterans are invited to be greeted at the museum and meet other veterans and visitors. Interviews may be taped for those with stories connected to CGJ Veterans’ Training and War time experiences.
Continuing on Friday at 6 pm, the Camp Gordon Johnston American Legion Post 82 located in Lanark Village warmly invites all WWII veterans, WWII widows/widowers, non-WWII veterans (with proof of service), active duty military, and members of Post 82 to a Low Country Boil in their honor. Each veteran or member is welcome to bring one guest. This event is not open to the general public. For more information, call 850-697-9998.
On Saturday, March 9th, kicking off at 10:45 am, the Annual Camp Gordon Johnston Reunion Days Parade pays tribute to all veterans of all branches of service. This year’s community parade should include CGJ Museum vehicles (WWII DUKW, Willis Jeep, and German Lieferwagen), more recent military vehicles, JROTC units, color guards, veteran organizations and auxiliary units, and of course, many civic and community floats, decorated golf carts, gorgeous antique cars, and beauty queens of all ages. In addition, the Military Vehicle Preservation Association – First Florida Chapter will be bringing their amazing restored vintage military vehicles to carry veterans in the parade.
Military related groups, community organizations, school groups, and individuals are encouraged to help honor all veterans, past and present, by participating in the parade. Click here to see the Parade Invitation.
Click here to download the 2019 Parade Registration Form. To register as a participant in the parade, submit the form by March 6. Those arriving late or without pre-registering are still welcome to join the parade at the rear of the lineup.
Following the parade, CGJ Museum’s historical vehicles, the DUKW, Willis Jeep, and German Lieferwagen, will be on display at the museum. Everyone is invited to see these vehicles up close and personal.
The Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum will be open to all visitors on Saturday from 10 am – 5 pm. Guests are encouraged to come and hear the amazing stories of the region’s WWII heroes and see the remarkable collection of WWII artifacts and memorabilia
Saturday evening the Camp Gordon Johnston Reunion festivities continue with a special event – the Camp Gordon Johnston Reunion Dinner Dance – at 6 pm at the Franklin County Senior Center in Carrabelle. Enjoy a 1940’s era dinner and music with actual WWII heroes as well as veterans from more recent times! These men and women have served their country faithfully and honorably, willing to give the “last full measure”. It is a privilege and a delight to thank and honor them at this special event. The cost is just $10 for advance tickets or $15 at the doors (BYOB). Advance ticket purchase is recommended due to limited seating and can be purchased at the Senior Center, 201 NW Ave F, Carrabelle. Doors open at 6 pm. Dinner will be served at 7 pm. For more information, call 850-697-3760.
Sunday, March 10, CGJ Museum will be hosting their first Dice Run fund raiser to support the museum. During this fun event, participants will drive to checkpoints, rolling dice at each stop. At the end of the day, participants with the highest and lowest combined rolls win prizes. All types of vehicles (motorcycles, cars, classic cars and trucks) are welcome to participate in this fun activity. Registration will be at the CGJ Museum from 12:00 to 1:30, with the last vehicle due in to the last stop by 4:30 at the CGJ American Legion Post #82, Lanark Village. Ticket cost for this event is $15.00 for the rider/driver and $5.00 for each passenger and includes one dice card and food at the last stop. The day will end with prizes for high and low rollers, door prizes, good food and more. Details will be posted on the Camp Gordon Johnston Facebook page. Click here to download the Dice Run flier.
Click here to see news coverage from WTXL Channel 27 of last year’s (2018) Camp Gordon Johnston Reunion Days event.
Annual Smithsonian Magazine’s Museum Day
2018 Smithsonian magazine’s Museum Day was a big success!
Our recent Smithsonian magazine’s Museum Day and Ribbon Cutting & Reopening of Camp Gordon Johnston Museum was a big success. This event was held on Saturday, September 22, 2018 and almost 200 visited Camp Gordon Johnston Museum that day!
On that day, all three of Carrabelle’s wonderful museums opened their doors free of charge on Saturday September 22, 2018 as part of Smithsonian magazine’s 14th annual Museum Day. This national celebration honors museums that follow the example of the Smithsonian with free admission. In salute to this day, Carrabelle History Museum, Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum, and Crooked River Lighthouse Museum had extended hours and special activities and exhibits including WWII military vehicles, a newly expanded Native Peoples exhibit and 103 foot tower climbs.
For many this was their first time visiting the new location and new museum facility. Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum is now located at Carrabelle Beach, where military troops practiced beach assaults for D-Day and other campaigns. The museum also showed an exciting short film of the actual 1943 beach assault training that has only recently been discovered. This wonderful short film can be see daily in the museum. WWII military vehicles were also on display and military veterans were on hand.
