SUU’s Adult Educational Travel Program Returns From Fortress Europe – The Final Victory Tour
Published: October 17, 2022 | Author: Caden Butterfield | Read Time: 2 minutes
Cedar City, UT – Southern Utah University’s Community on the Go (COG) adult educational travel program recently returned from the Fortress Europe - The Final Victory Tour. Participants followed in the footsteps of history by tracing the Allied advance through Austria and Germany at the conclusion of World War II in Europe.
Comprised of 29 travelers, the trip was led by three expert guides: former SUU President Scott Wyatt, former SUU Board of Trustees Chair Gayle Pollock and SUU Professor of Library and Information Science, Richard Saunders.
“Visiting places where great things happened is inspirational; visiting places where horrible things happened is a solemn reminder,” said Wyatt. “Seeing both with local guides and SUU scholars helps me become a better person.”
The excursion was the final chapter of a three-part series following the World War II advance of the 101st Airborne - 506th P.I.R., Easy Company “Band of Brothers” and their ultimate capture of the Eagle’s Nest, Adolf Hitler’s mountaintop fortress. This provided historical context for the places visited, such as Munich, the birthplace of the Nazi party; or Potsdam, where Stalin, Truman and Churchill decided the fate of Europe post-World War II.
For one trip participant, the journey held a much deeper meaning. "I made the decision to take my dad on the Fortress Europe trips so that he could see and experience the places where his father fought as a soldier when he was a child,” said Ann Marie Mclff Allen. “My dad passed away before the Final Victory Tour, so my husband Randy and I completed the trip to honor both my grandfather and father, remembering that World War II still touches most lives in our country in one way or another.”
Other highlights of the trip included a tour of Nuremberg Nazi Rally Grounds and the Palace of Justice, the site of the war crimes tribunal, now known as the Nuremberg Trials. Participants also enjoyed an in-depth walking tour of Berlin, stopping by Checkpoint Charlie, a remaining section of the Berlin Wall that served as the entrance to the Allied-controlled side of the city post-World War II.
SUU Community on the Go offers culturally immersive, international travel experiences for adults who love to learn and is presented by SUU Community and Professional Development. SUU faculty experts curate and lead exploration groups of approximately 20-30 travelers to various parts of the world offering fun, cultural and educational experiences. Previous Community on the Go trip destinations include London, China, Peru, Paris and Transylvania.
Tags: Community and Professional Development