Beyrle Documentary Shown Tonight in Toccoa

Main Street Toccoa is helping to kick off festivities for Currahee Military Weekend tonight with a special movie presentation at the Ritz Theatre at the Schaefer Center in downtown Toccoa.

It is showing “The Joe Beyrle Story” at 7 p.m. tonight.

Main Street Toccoa Events Coordinator Sharon Crosby said the city is excited to be working with the Stephens County Historical Society to put on this special presentation.

“It is going to be very exciting,” said Crosby. “I am hoping that people who are interested in World War II will come. Actually, this documentary was made in Russia.”

Beyrle trained at Camp Toccoa and jumped on D-Day, then was captured by the Germans and escaped from captivity three times.

The third time, he met up with a Russian unit, with whom he fought until he could make his way back to the American lines.

He is the only soldier to have fought for both the United States and Russia.

Beyrle would return to Toccoa every year to talk with students and he passed away on his annual visit to Toccoa in December of 2004.

Preceding the movie at 7 p.m., there will be a slideshow at 6:30 p.m. entitled “Memories of Joe.” Also, there will be a message from Joe’s son and Colonel Ed Shames, who served with Beyrle, will be there to talk about Joe.

Tickets are $5 each and can be bought prior to the show today at the Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce or tonight at the door at the Schaefer Center.