D-Day Commemorated

On the 60th anniversary of D-Day, a nation remembers the battle that foreshadowed the end of World War II. Operation Overlord was the largest air, land, and sea operation undertaken before or since June 6, 1944. The landing included more than 5,000 ships, 11,000 airplanes, and 150,000 servicemembers. A number of events, books, and offerings have been scheduled to mark the event. Some of them include:

• The National D-Day Memorial Foundation in Bedford, Va., will hold a commemorative event, including a “1940s Canteen” and a “GI Jive” dance (www.dday.org).
• The National D-Day Museum in New Orleans will offer reenactments, military displays, and a simulcast with the American Cemetery at Omaha Beach (www.ddaymuseum.org).
• The History Channel will dedicate a week of programming from May 29 to June 6. One of the premiere programs is “10 Days to D-Day” (based on the book by David Stafford), which tells the story of the invasion through the remembrances of 10 people involved in that day (www.historychannel.com).
• The book Omaha Beach: D-Day, June 6, 1944 (Stackpole Books, 2004), by Joseph Balkoski, recounts the attempts to maneuver bombers through heavy cloud cover, the terror of manning a tank aboard a landing vessel, and the relentless fires that greeted GIs as they inched their way across the beach.
• The Zippo Manufacturing Co. will release a “Sands of Normandy” collectible lighter set, which includes a 1941 replica D-Day lighter with a black crackle finish (www.zippo.com).

Honoring the Greatest Generation

A new monument has taken its place on the National Mall in the nation’s capitol, and to celebrate, Washington, D.C., is hosting a summer-long salute to the men and women who served during World War II.

The dedication of the National World War II Memorial, honoring the 16 million Americans who served during World War II, over the Memorial Day weekend will be followed by more than 100 World War II-themed exhibitions, performances, and walking tours in the D.C. area. Special hotel packages also will be offered.

“America Celebrates the Greatest Generation” will include “Memories of World War II: Photographs from the Archives of the Associated Press” at Union Station; the “Spies Among Us” exhibit at the International Spy Museum; a “Best of World War II Film Series” at the American Film Institute; and the “Parade Salute to America’s Greatest Generation” July 4. For more information, visit www.washington.org/americacelebrates.

Americans Help Troops Call Home

Now any American can help the troops call home, thanks to a decision by DoD authorizing the Armed Services Exchanges to sell prepaid calling cards to the public. The “Help Our Troops Call Home” program is designed to help servicemembers call home from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

To donate a card to an individual or any servicemember, log on to any of the three Armed Services Exchange Web sites: the Army and Air Force at www.aafes.com, the Navy at www.navy-nex.com, and the Marine Corps at www. usmc-mccs.org. Those without Internet access may call (800) 527-2345. The cards never expire, and there are no added charges or fees.

Let the Games Begin

More than 500 disabled veterans will compete in the largest annual wheelchair sports event in the world, the 24th National Veterans Wheelchair Games, June 15–19 in St. Louis. The games “give our nation’s disabled veterans the opportunity to once again enjoy rigorous athletic competition,” says va Secretary Anthony Principi.

The games, presented by the VA and the Paralyzed Veterans of America, are open to all U.S. military veterans who use wheelchairs for sports competition because of spinal cord injuries, certain neurological conditions, amputations, or other mobility impairment.

Veterans will compete in a variety of events, including track and field, swimming, basketball, weightlifting, softball, quad-rugby, handcycling, and wheelchair slalom. For more information, visit www.wheelchairgames.org.