Mt. Rushmore Commemoration

It's always a thrill to fly over Mt. Rushmore. OK, you may not be able to do it in Air Force One, but we flew over it a few years ago in our Cessna 210 after reading about the area in Pilot Getaways. (http://pglinks.net/spr01)

After your flyover—unlike Air Force One, you should maintain 2,000 ft AGL—just land at nearby Custer Airport (KCUT), rent a car, and visit this incredible monument.

There will be a special event held at Mt. Rushmore Saturday, September 28 at 4:30 p.m., to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the rescue of the Danish Jews during WWII by the Danish people. Some 8,000 people were rescued: more than 95% of the total Jewish population of Denmark. Why celebrate something that happened to Danish Jews in Denmark—in America?

Well, for one thing, did you know that the Mt. Rushmore figures were designed and carved by a Danish-American sculptor named Gutzon Borglum? And it is true: while many European countries were summarily handing over their own Jewish citizens to the Nazis, inspired by their King, Danish Christians (at great personal risk to themselves, as they were occupied by the Germans) smuggled nearly all over their fellow Jewish citizens out of the country and into neutral Sweden. While they were in Sweden, their neighbors took care of their homes and property until they could return after the war.

So, it's natural that we should observe the 70th anniversary of such selfless acts, inspired by a great leader, at our national memorial, to some of our greatest leaders. Fly in to Custer, head to Mt. Rushmore on September 28, and prepare to be inspired! For more information, visit http://www.sdsynod.org/denmark-rescue-commemoration/.