Some of Georgia’s congressional and state leaders will join President Donald Trump and other world leaders who will be commemorating the 75th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, France. Closer to home, Georgia and metro Atlanta museums and organizations will be hosting their own commemorative events. Here is a roundup of activities to honor those who served and those who lost their lives in the European invasion 75 years ago.
8th annual D-Day at Currahee Park
Honor the soldiers who trained at Camp Toccoa and all veterans who jumped at Normandy on June 6, 1944, with a 10K run and Memorial Walk. The events will take participants in the footsteps of the 18,000 who trained on Currahee Mountain during WWII. All proceeds from the events will be used for the Camp Toccoa at Currahee Project. The race is part of the 2019 Black Bag Race Series. 8 a.m. June 1. Currahee Mountain, 2351 Ayersville Road, Toccoa. camptoccoaatcurrahee.org.
» RELATED: Many Georgians made the ultimate sacrifice during the Allied invasion
National Infantry Museum
The Infantry School graduation on Inouye Field, featuring a performance by the Maneuver Center of Excellence Band, a jump by the Silver Wings Parachute Demonstration Team and a reading of the D-Day prayer by FDR living historian Robert Prater, will kick off NIM's day of activities. Visitors can also sample life on Fort Benning during the 1940s on World War II Company Street with reenactors and WWII vintage tanks and vehicles to explore. Other activities include a ribbon-cutting for a new D-Day exhibit, author lectures and war movies in the theater. 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. June 6. $5. National Infantry Museum, 1775 Legacy Way, Columbus. nationalinfantrymuseum.org.
Warner Robins AFB
Warner Robins AFB begins its day of activities with a ceremony by the Warner Robins Heritage Society honoring WWII veterans in the Nugteren Hangar at 9:17 a.m., timed with the publication of orders issued to troops 75 years ago. Movies, including a D-Day documentary, will be shown throughout the day, along with access to the B-17G Flying Fortress and a WWII memorabilia display. 11 a.m-4 p.m. June 6. Free. $7 for rides on a virtual reality simulator. Museum of Aviation Robins AFB, 1942 Heritage Blvd., Warner Robins. museumofaviation.org.
> Atlanta editor broadcast first eyewitness report from D-Day 1944
Gwinnett County Public Library
World War II veteran Bill York provides a presentation on the D-Day Invasion on the 75th anniversary. There will also be an introduction to GCPL's ancestry database. 6 p.m. June 6. Free. 265 Dacula Road, Dacula. gwinnettpl.org/events/d-day-the-invasion-of-normandy.
» RELATED: Torpy at Large: 75 years after D-Day, finding WWII vets is the battle
Virtual Run/Walk
Moon Joggers is sponsoring this virtual event in which participants choose the location and distance they want to complete in either a 1 mile, 5K, 10K, 13.1 or 26.2 virtual run or walk to honor D-Day veterans. At least 15% of each registration will be donated to the Gary Sinise Foundation to recognize and honor veterans, first responders, their families and those in need. Complete your race any time in June, even better if it's June 6. $20. Atlanta. moonjoggers.com.
D-Day Living History
Experience D-Day as it happened as James Fowler, a former high school teacher, portrays President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Robert Anzouni represents the U.S. Army Signal Corps. This briefing will inform FDR of the successes of D-Day followed by the president leading our nation in a prayer that took place on June 6, 1944, via radio. 11 a.m. performance, other performances time permitting. June 8. $9-$14. Roosevelt's Little White House Historic Site, 401 Little White House Road, Warm Springs. explore.gastateparks.org/info/190835.
History Book Club
Discussion of the book "D-Day: June 6, 1944: The Climactic Battle of World War II," by author and historian Stephen Ambrose. Copies will be available at the Circulation/Reference Desk. 6 p.m July 16. Free. Atlanta-Fulton Milton Branch Library, 855 Mayfield Road, Milton. afpls.org/locations/1610-milton-branch.
About the Author
