OPERATION: MAGIC CARPET 2025
Join us to Celebrate 80 Years of Victory!
This year marks the 80th Anniversary of the End of WWII and total Victory over the Axis Powers, both in the ETO and the PTO. The largest endeavor of the entire war occurred thereafter and was known as Operation: Magic Carpet and was the Army's effort to get as many Troops Home for the Holidays in 1945 as possible. This year please plan on joining The Geronimo Foundation, Inc. a 501c3 non-Profit Military Historical Society for that celebration on the evening of Saturday, December 13th 2025.
Plans are being formulated for a once in a lifetime celebration in period fashion with plenty of food & libations and revelry including a world class 18 Piece Big Band and special guests! (Get the Class A Uniform ready and shine those boots!) We plan on celebrating this Holiday Season like we've never done before! And remember "don't leave your best girl home on a Saturday night!"
See below for more details...
ORIGINS
Operation Magic Carpet
was the post–World War II operation by the U.S. War Shipping Administration (WSA) to repatriate over eight million American military personnel from the European (ETO), Pacific, and Asian theaters. Hundreds of Liberty ships, Victory ships, and troop transports began repatriating soldiers from Europe to the United States in June 1945. Beginning in October 1945, over 370 United States Navy ships were used for repatriation duties in the Pacific. Warships, such as aircraft carriers, battleships, hospital ships, and large numbers of assault transports, were used. The European phase of Operation Magic Carpet concluded in February 1946; the Pacific phase continued until September 1946
EVENT DETAILS
Operation Magic Carpet 2025
is a WWII Themed Christmas Swing Dance Celebration commemorating and honoring the Soldiers, Sailors, Airman and Marines who sacrificed so much to preserve our Freedom. There will be a full dinner, dessert, cash bar, door prizes, historical displays, Special Guests, swing dancing to an 18 Piece Big Band, Veterans Memorial Wall, Apparel and more!
December 13, 2025
6:00 PM - 11:00 PM
The Crystal Ballroom
44 Maynard St.
Middletown, CT 06457
Catering by: Karabella's Catering
https://www.karabellacatering.com/
Dress Code:
Men: Class A Uniforms, (or Suit & Tie)
Women: Appropriate Dress or Gown
Tickets: $55.00 per person
TICKET SALES WILL GO LIVE SHORTLY
OUR PARTNER
STRING OF PEARLS BIG BAND
String of Pearls Big Band keeps the sounds of the Big Band Swing Era and The Great American Songbook alive and well for dancers and listeners all across Southern New England. Eighteen dedicated musicians perform classic tunes from the 1930s, 40s, and 50s celebrating the legacy of the great bands: Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, Harry James, and more. Our mission is to preserve this genuine American treasure for all future generations. The melodies and the memories linger on with String of Pearls Big Band.
On the Web:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stringofpearlsbigband
SPONSORSHIP
An event of this scope and scale can only be made possible by the help of our community sponsors. If you have the ability to help in any way please contact us at your earliest convenience.
From full blown support to contributions in kind we appreciate any help you can provide.
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT
SUPPORT THE WAR EFFORT!
Placemat Sponsorship for the event is open today! Space is limited to 20 ads for all place seatings. Get yours now for your business, group, organization or special memorial before they sell out! Your information will also appear on all T-Shirts, etc... and advertising forthcoming! ACT FAST!
The event is made possible by the gracious support of all our sponsors! Thank you in advance.
APPAREL
COMMEMORATIVE T-SHIRTS
T-Shirts are being designed to commemorate the event and recognize the many sponsors and organizations that are making this event possible.
If you are a sponsor you will automatically be listed and if you are an organization that will be attending (re-enactment group, dance troop, etc...) and would like your group commemorated as well please contact us to learn how.
OPERATION: MAGIC CARPET 2025
WWII Themed Christmas Swing Dance Celebration Gala commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the end of WWII.