Camp Taccoa, Georgia (Currahee!)

As a student of the United States Army Airborne School, located in Fort Benning, Georgia, it was almost an unspoken rule to make the trip out to Camp Taccoa. This was the original site for the Army jump training during the early 1940's which was made famous by Stephen Ambrose's book, "The Band of Brothers" which later become an HBO miniseries. The story begins in 1942 where Echo Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, arrives in Camp Toccoa for their basic airborne training and follows the unit through various campaigns throughout the European conflict until the end of WWII.

The remnants of Camp Toccoa are just a few signs and a memorial commemorating the combat jumps of the 506th, 501st, 511th, and 517th Infantry Regiments in the shape of a parachute. There are initiatives in place to rebuild the site to commemorate the Camp.

The location was a little difficult to find; the memorial located just off the intersection of West Currahee Street and Ayersville Road. When I went, there was no real place to park; I ended up driving into Ayersville Road and parked on the south side of the street, on the opposite side of the street from where the memorial is located.

Here are some of the signs I was mentioning, plus a good indication that you are at the correct location.

COL Robert Sink Memorial Trail is named after the former 506th Infantry Regiment Commander. The trail follows the 6 mile run to the top Currahee.

The memorial is located at the original entrance to Camp Toccoa. The black marble stone structure is at the base of the parachute which can be seen in the picture below. 

6 miles in 45 minutes, the standard for the aspiring paratroopers in the 1940's, does not seem that challenging for a relatively healthy young adult; but this was by far the worst run I have ever done. If I were to let my ego speak, I would blame the humidity of the Georgia weather in the month of January which I was not accustomed too, since I came down from the north east where the temperature was about 30 degrees colder and the air much drier.

The top of the hill is not very well marked and I thought I had reached the top when I came to a graffiti covered rock-face. The picture below is the view looking down on the trail from the top of that rock formation. Don't stop, but keep running for another 200 or so meters.

Once you get to the actual top of Currahee, you will find a saucer plate sized plaque in the ground which is the official reference maker.

 It is really not that noticeable as it is flat on the ground, in-between numerous telecommunications buildings.

Minus the mishap of finding the top of Currahee and spending a few minutes reflecting upon the history of this site, I did the round-trip run in about 43 minutes.

As you can tell, I wasn't feeling that great once I got back to the start of the trail.

In the time that I had completed the "3 miles up and 3 miles down," someone had left a red rose at the base of the statues commemorating the sacrifices of the paratroopers that came before me. Currahee! Airborne!

Currahee Military Museum

Nestled in the heart of Toccoa, Georgia, the Currahee Military Museum quietly commands attention, not with flash or grandeur, but with stories, grit, and an undeniable sense of honor. This isn’t just a museum. It’s a living tribute to the brave souls who trained at Camp Toccoa during World War II, many of whom would go on to jump into the annals of history with the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, better known today thanks to “Band of Brothers.” 

From the moment I stepped through the doors of the old train station that now houses the museum, I was struck by a kind of reverent stillness. The exhibits don’t shout. They speak softly but powerfully—through weathered boots, handwritten letters, and black-and-white photographs that somehow hold more emotion than a moving picture ever could.

One of the most moving parts of the museum is the original Stable Toccoa—a horse stable that was shipped all the way from Aldbourne, England, where American paratroopers were stationed before D-Day. Walking into the stable is like stepping through time. You can almost hear the murmurs of young soldiers, the clatter of gear, the anticipation thick in the air.

Of course, no visit here is complete without taking a few moments to reflect beneath the massive mural honoring the 501st, 506th, 511th, and 517th Parachute Infantry Regiments. Each name, each patch, each artifact is part of a broader mosaic of sacrifice. It's just one of countless painting, artifact or personal possession of numerous members of these Airborne regiments. 

What struck me most, though, was how deeply rooted the community still is in the memory of these soldiers. Locals share stories of their fathers and grandfathers, and the museum’s volunteers speak not just with knowledge, but with love. This is personal to them. And by the time you leave, it feels personal to you, too.

I finished my visit with a short drive out to Currahee Mountain—yes, that Currahee. The training mantra of the paratroopers—“Three miles up, three miles down”—echoes in your head as you look up at its slope. I did run it, just like they did, which gave me a sense of paying my respects to them - that blog can be found on the posting called Camp Toccoa, Georgia (Currahee!). 

So if you ever find yourself in North Georgia, take the time. Visit Toccoa. Walk through the Currahee Military Museum. Stand inside history, feel its weight and its honor. This little museum, tucked into a quiet southern town, holds more courage per square foot than most places on Earth.

Currahee. We Stand Alone, Together.