Honoring Ike and the 80th anniversary of D-Day:
A taste of history on the Smoky Valley Limited!
As Abilene pays tribute to favorite son Dwight Eisenhower on the 80th anniversary of the Allied Forces’ D-Day invasion in Europe, the Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad commemorates the occasion in recreating another moment in Ike’s life that also changed the world. On June 4, 1952, a special charter Santa Fe passenger train sped to Ike’s central Kansas hometown where he was slated to announce his candidacy for President of the United States. The General and his traveling party ate well on that train ride, as railroad chefs crafted meals that were fitting of the pomp and pageantry of the occasion. The menu included an appetizer of spiced watermelon cubes and colossal ripe olives with several main course options. Our caterer, Scott Sieben of Kites in Aggieville Manhattan, has chosen chicken with ham and fresh mushrooms, string beans, rissole potatoes, and dinner rolls with butter. Strawberry strudel with whipped cream will be served for dessert, along with iced tea or water. And for a special price, beer and wines will be available. Our train leaves Abilene’s 1887 Rock Island Depot on Saturday, June 8, at 6:00 p.m. for a two hour journey across the Smoky Hill River Valley. We’re proud to honor President Eisenhower’s leadership as Abilene, the State of Kansas and the entire nation observe the D-Day’s 80th anniversary. Ride the rails of Kansas history for our special tribute to Ike on the Smoky Valley Limited!
