European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 2, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse 50rooms still available but Call ahead by the stars and stripes Caen France a tourism officials offered Good news wednesday for last minute travellers who want to come to Normandy during events marking the 50th anniversary of a Day. A there arc still places to stay if you Call ahead a said army Lac la Goff of the regional tourist office. The main hotels directly on the coast Are booked but Mapy towns less than 20 Miles from the a Day Landing areas still have rooms. And farm Homes Many near the invasion area also still have rooms la Goff said. Normandy a town and City tourist offices will be open from Friday through monday to assist travellers la Goff said. The major ceremonies june 6 at Utah Beach Point do hoc Omaha Beach and Normandy american cemetery arc by invitation Only the tourism officials cautioned. However most of the thousands of International visitors already flooding into the area Don t have invitations and arc simply enjoying the buildup to the events. Military vehicle restoration groups began arriving in Force wednesday with a wide Range of world War i cars jeep trucks and motorcycles. Their convoys began to slow traffic on the narrow d514 Highway that parallels the coast Harley horse helps Soldier Drift to past ily Ron Jan san Nurnberg Bureau itch Tenhof Germany a when sgt. 1st class Gary c. Kuhn is aboard his original 1942 army Model Harley Davidson motorcycle his thoughts sometimes Drift. A i try to think a How would the operator of this vehicle during the War think a a said Kuhn a Soldier with the 3rd brigade 3rd inf div in Vilsick. A this was his horse. Like with the old cavalry soldiers they had to take care of their horses. He had to take care of this whoever Rode Kuhn a motorcycle across France and Germany As the front pushed toward Berlin in 1944 and 1945 would be glad to know that Kuhn is taking Good care of that motorcycle. In fact Kuhn will ride the Harley in a Parade monday in Normandy France As part of me Celebration of the 50th a Day. That Honor a us Kuhn perceives it a name about because of his membership in the International military commemorative Normandy association. Kuhn has been collecting world War ii Memorabilia for about 18 years since his first tour in Germany. Hut the motorcycle he will ride in the far Udo and another one nearly identical came to him Only in the past couple of years. He knows that the Bike he will tide in France was Ridden across Europe 50 years ago. After world War la it and thousands of other vehicles were handed Over to european allies who had lost Many of their vehicles daring the War Kuhn a Harley was used by the police in Prague Czechoslovakia until 195ei. Kuhn bought it through contacts with a Harley Davidson club in Prague Only about 1,000 motorcycles of this Vintage Are in such excellent condition Kuhn said a Mere in Europe there Are probably 200 or less a he said. Little exists in world War 11 Jit Ciatur about the use of motorcycles Kuhn said. His research has made him somewhat of an expert. Of turn a Arab a concluding spectacle in Caen on the night of june 6 is open to the Public and tickets Are free la Goff said a you can pick up a ticket at the City Hall in Caen a she said As Many As 60,000 people can be accommodated for the final ceremony she said. The most interesting event open to the Public May be the june 5 afternoon Parachute drop at . City officials have invited the Public and expect More than 20,000 people to watch the drop of american and French soldiers and a Small group of world War ii veterans the major bed and breakfast booking organi Dayton sgt. 1st class Gary c. Kuhn straddles his 1942 army Mode Uurry due Tyson motorcycle. During the War soldiers often used the motorcycles for courier duty. But some of the bikes were used by scouts. The Bike is not loud for a motorcycle and it has a Low profile to make it less visible. The Hatley can travel through water More than 2 feet deep. And one Lank of gasoline can Cany the Tider 150 Miles. A a lot of the rides were nicknamed the eagles a lie said like the Bird the riders had Iiene rein of the Countryside and they Ocie endowed with excellent vision. Kuhn feels the motorcycle s contribution to the Success of world War 11 is understated. Quot i Here should be More documentation made available to the general Public Alnut the Soldier and this vehicle,1 he said. Nation cite Rural still had vacancy listings wednesday. A if you want a Large place you will have to stay about 20 Miles away from the main area a said a gite Rural representative. A however if you done to mind staying with a farm family or a Rural location we can place you closer a anyone with a camping Van or Lent should be Able to stay near the major event locations. At Wierville sur mar directly on Omaha Beach site of the big International ceremony the Campground operator said wednesday afternoon that plenty of spaces were available. In nearby Bayeux and at camping areas All along the coast there were vacancies. A major consideration for those booking a place is the traffic problem Ort monday june 6. The major transit Roadway in the Region the n13, from Caen to Valones will be closed to the Public. Traffic will be routed away from the coast. For nearly 24 hours visitors Between the ni3 and the coast will be limited to walking or Bike Riding. Tourist officials said information on Caen a events can be obtained by calling French country code 33 then 31304565. For gite Rural the regional number is 3331827165. For the nearby Manche area the regional number is 33-335g2880. Gite Rural offices will be open through saturday at 12 30 of Flag ready to stride Over butterflies by the stars and stripes Coleville sur Mer France a spec. Shawn Limburg knows a group of important veterans will be watching him with special interest during the a Day ceremony at Normandy american cemetery and memorial on monday. Limburg a member of Btry a 4th in 27th Field arty regt from Babenhausen Germany will carry the Flag of the 29th inf div a this is the one a said Limburg pointing to his Flag As he prepared for a ceremony rehearsal tuesday evening. Troops of the 29th landed in the first wave at Omaha Beach on a Day and suffered heavy casualties. A i know what they did a said Limburg from heaver dam wis a and 1 know Well do All right representing the units. The butterflies will be there but Well do All on monday afternoon 19 soldiers from Btry a led by sgt 1st class Stanley Moore will in raft in front of More than 10,000 veterans a including a Large delegation from the 29th, not to mention a worldwide television audience a presenting the flags of the . Units involved in the a Day landings. Chi. Joseph Frazier said he would carry the Flag of the 8th air Force a a we re going to get this filing right a said Frazier from Bishopville . We ii keep doing it until we get it a this Landing turned the tide in world War said spec. Kelly Rogers who will carry the i lag of the Western naval task Force. I he Battery commander capt Michael liar Tig said the group has been working for More than two months on its part in the ceremony this past week the members practice at least once a Day. On wednesday morning they spent More than a hours drilling for the 20-minute choreographed March and Flag presentation. Harlig said the soldiers were hair picked from his unit. 1 he first sergeant and myself have told them h is a great Honor to do this 1 mat Tig said. A it hey me proud to come Down Here and represent the . 1
