Two years ago J&J Video Productions have completed their documentary film titled "FLYING WITH EMILIO". "Flying With Emilio" is a forty-seven minute documentary that takes you to a small community in New Jersey, where every year tribute is paid to a virtually almost forgotten Mexican Aviation Hero. The DVD of the documentary movie will be for sale after the event.

Captain Emilio Carranza has been called "Mexico's Lindbergh". In 1928, while flying a goodwill mission from New York City to Mexico City, his plane crashed near Tabernacle, New Jersey during a thunderstorm. Since his death, members of American Legion Post 11 in Mount Holly have continued to promote his goodwill mission by honoring the pioneer aviator Captain Emilio Carranza.

It's a good time to be had by all, and to actually meet some of the dignitaries who travel from all over North America to be here for our Mexican Hero Emilio Carranza. We are told that this is the 4th largest visited historic Latin American site in North America.

On behalf of the Officers and Members of American Legion Post #11, I the Carranza Memorial Committee Chairman, would like to cordially invite you to our Saturday Affair. American Legion Post 11 is very appreciative of your interests and assistance in the remembrance of the Gallant Captain Emilio Carranza and his mission of Goodwill and Peace between Nations.

The members of Post 11 are proud that we have been able to honor and maintain the promise made by the Post 11 forefathers 84 years ago without fail.

The Ballet Folklorico Dancers from New York City has been invited to dance in full authentic costumes.
This is a real pleasure to witness the cultural dancing and authentic costumes of the various regions of Mexico. Ballet Folklorico de Nueva York have been long time supporters of Post 11's Annual Captain Emilio Carranza Memorial Service.

We are currently in the early stages of planning the 84th Annual Emilio Carranza Memorial Service. Feel free to contact us with suggestions or ideas.

Friday July 13th

Due to the current economic situation and the rising cost of fuel and travel, Our Annual Friday Night Social Dinner is currently under discussion

Saturday July 14th 1:00 PM

This will be our 84th anniversary for the passing of Emilio, he was found still clutching his flashlight in the Jersey Pines. American Legion Post 11 located the crashed aircraft Excelsior, and brought his body to Busby's General Store in Chatsworth, then on to Mount Holly, up to New York and back to Mexico by train where he is one of the National Hero's of their country. The ceremony held here is larger than the Memorial Service in Mexico to this day.

American Legion Post 11 members had sworn an oath that we would keep the Goodwill between our two countries every year by having a ceremony at the crash site deep in the Jersey Pine Barrens. Some years there have only been a hand full of Legionaries, but each and every year we have been there. Rain, shine, hurricanes, wind, or heat. The American Legion Post has never failed to honor their past comrades commitment to Mexico and America. Our brotherhood remains strong to this promise of tradition.

We have now incorporated an reenactment of finding Emilio and it is not unheard of to hear the weeping and sobbing with tears in the crowd as Post 11 carries Emilio across the field to the music of Going Home. Those who faithfully attend can only experience the passion and the feelings of all the people.

Wreaths are presented in a warm and friendly manner to remind us of the compassion, strength, and love this man had for his country. Just like an American by the name of Charles Lindbergh who met Emilio, they became friends with deep respect for one another as they both risked their lives for their countries in the early pioneering of aviation.

This is an experience everyone should have at least once in their life.

July 14th, Saturday 3:00 PM

Following the Memorial Service, the New Jersey State Police and Burlington County Sheriffs department will escort the attendees back to the festivities. Directions and information will be passed out at the Ceremony in the pines. Please note that those attending the festivities will be given a wristband to enter the festivities. Those without a wristband will be charged an admission fee to the festivities.

Donations will be greatly appreciated. Our Post does a great job but it costs money and we cannot do this without the help from our friends. Donations can be sent to:
American Legion Post 11
P O Box 711
Mount Holly, NJ 08060
Please mark the item as a donation to The Carranza Event.

If you need any additional information or directions to any of these events please do not hesitate to contact me directly via e-mail or phone (609) 893-0999. To contact us by e-mail, please use our "Contact Us" Page by Clicking Here. So spread the word to one of the best kept historical secrets in South Jersey.

For those organizations who wish to present a wreath at the Memorial Service, please contact the Carranza Committee Chairman, Bob Barney, at (609) 893-0999 so the information can be put into the program.

Please do not order a wreath without first contacting the Captain Emilio Carranza Memorial Committee Chairman or it cannot be part of the programmed event.

Wreaths can be ordered from local florists and delivered to the site of the ceremony. Be sure to order the wreath with a stand or it cannot be presented.

some suggestions for local florists are:

McGinley's Florists
(609) 261-1116
Lumberton, NJ

HorseFeathers Flowers and Gifts
(609) 261-3866
(866) 360-4600
Mount Holly, NJ

other florists will be listed as they contact us

For God and Country,