This year on the 75th Anniversary of D-Day, the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia will host events from Tuesday, June 4 to Sunday, June 9 to recognize veterans of World War II and D-Day — and they want as many of those veterans to be present as possible.
WWII and D-Day veterans can register for the anniversary commemorative observance "The Final Salute," which is scheduled for Thursday, June 6. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the names of every WWII and D-Day veteran attending will be read for recognition.
While advanced registration is not required, registering beforehand will ensure WWII and D-Day veterans receive priority parking and seating for the June 6 event. However, there will also be on-site registration on the day of the event.
Not only does the event want to recognize all WWII and D-Day veterans — it also wants to connect them with each other. There will be a veterans' reunion tent open on the Memorial grounds at 7 a.m. to provide veterans a place to gather and connect before and after the ceremony. Light refreshments will also be served.
Other events throughout the week will include book signings, plaque dedications, an aerial tribute, free film screenings, and a field chapel service.
The memorial was dedicated on June 6, 2001 by former President George W. Bush in honor of those who died on one of the most decisive days in American history. The Bedford, Va. community had the highest casualty rate per capita on D-Day — nineteen men from Bedford were killed on the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944. For this reason, Bedford was chosen as the location of the memorial to represent communities large and small across the country that sent men to defend our freedom during WWII.
For more information and registration, visit the 75th Anniversary page on the memorial's website.