The American Cemetery in Normandy

Today, it is Memorial Day here in America. Originally, it was called Decoration Day and honored those who died in the Civil War. After World War I, its purpose was changed to honor all who died in service to their country. Next Tuesday marks the 60th anniversary since the Allied seaborne invasion of Normandy on the 6th of June 1944. Sixty years ago, this day marked the beginning of the end of World War II and the eventual liberation of Europe. From those bloody shores, 250,000 young Americans, Canadians and British began the push through to Hitler's forces in Berlin. All over the world, those who fought on that day, those leaders who helped prepare for the invasion, and those who have since survived will be celebrated.

The commemoration of D-Day is an opportunity to teach our children about the courageous, terrifying and inspirational acts of those who have served in the past and those who are serving us, today.

D-Day Commemorations Around The World

On Television

Tonight, A&E's two-hour Ike: Countdown to D-Day, starring Tom Selleck examines Supreme Allied Commander Dwight D. Eisenhower, how he got the job, and what he did with it in the days before the huge invasion. Tomorrow A&E a special two-hour Biography of Eisenhower tomorrow at 8 pm. A re-run of Countdown to D-Day will be shown again at 10pm.

Six D-Day Movies Now Available on DVD

Band of Brothers
Saving Private Ryan
The Longest Day
Where Eagles Dare
Price for Peace
The Big Red One

Places around the world to pay homage to those who sacrificed their lives and those who survived:

In The United States

Bedford, Virginia - The National D-Day Memorial

Washington, D.C. - The National World War II Memorial opened May 27th with a commemoration for over 100,000 veterans. Last week's activities in Washington, D.C., included NBC newsman Tom Brokaw, author of "The Greatest Generation," Tom Hanks, star of "Saving Private Ryan," and former U.S. senators and World War II heroes George McGovern, D-S.D., and Bob Dole, R-Neb. The $175 million memorial honors 16 million Americans who served from 1939-1945. Today, 4 million WWII vets are still alive. Of the 60 million people who died, 400,000 were Americans.

Delaware - Delaware - The MBNA 400 NASCAR race at Dover International Speedway on Sunday, June 6 will be known as, The MBNA 400: A Salute to Heroes, in honor of the 60th anniversary of D-Day. Bobby Labonte will drive the MBNA-sponsored Chevrolet Monte Carlo (#18), which has been re-painted to resemble World War II military equipment. MBNA will donate a portion of its royalties from sales of the die-cast to the D-Day Memorial Foundation and to the Armed Forces Family Scholarship and Assistance Fund (AFFSAF), administered by the Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation (MCLEF).

New Orleans, Louisiana - The National D-Day Museum 60th Anniversary Commemoration Weekend will include a living history encampment, rock climbing, a wine and war evening, a sunrise ceremony and firepower demonstrations.

Los Angeles, California - A D-Day ceremony will be a collaborative effort involving the American Legion, French Consulate of Los Angeles and Port of Los Angeles.

North Dakota - The Richard I. Bong World War II Heritage Center will present the second annual World War II Heritage Festival this Saturday and Sunday. The event features an aviation day Saturday and a commemoration on Sunday. Saturday's program features three World War II pilots. P-38 Lightning pilot Jack Curtis of Rogers, Ark.; P-51 Mustang pilot Major General Wayne C. Gatlin of Duluth and P-40 Flying Tigers pilot Wayne Johnson of Silver Bay are participating in panel discussions presented in the morning and afternoon. The public will get a rare opportunity -- a close-up look into the P-38's cockpit. On Saturday only, visitors can climb up to the cockpit level of the center's P-38 Lightning and pilot Jack Curtis will answer questions about the aircraft. On Sunday, veterans who served in the invasion will talk about their experiences. Special activities for families are planned in the center's "Basic Training Camp."

In Canada

Toronto - The opening of the Churchill Statue for the 60th Anniversary will debut the refurbished statue, complete with a commemorative ceremony at Queen's Park.

In The U.K.

Huxford - D-Day Week at the Imperial War Museum will feature a reenactment of the 101st Airborne Division and a fly-by with an AWAC aircraft.

Portsmouth - The City of Portsmouth (not New Hampshire but in the U.K.) will hold 60 events from the beginning of June until the end of September. Details of these events can be found at: DDayMuseum.co.uk

The D Day Museum in Portsmouth is Britain's only museum dedicated solely to all aspects of the D-Day landings. Portsmouth is also the birthplace of the great novelist, Charles Dickens. It is also where Rudyard Kipling lived here for six years from the age of 6-12.

In Australia

Canberra - A D-Day Closing Ceremony and "True Glory" screening will take place at the Australian War Memorial.

In France

Normandy - About 17 heads of state or government and around 20,000 participants – including up to 8,000 veterans – will attend a commemorative event. 100 American WWII vets will be flown on a special Air France flight to Paris. From there they will take a train to Normandy. Along with the French royal treatment, those in attendance will receive the most prestigious award the French government can bestow. These soldiers will be named Knights of the Legion of Honor. Of the 100 chosen to be honored, each veteran represents the unit in which they served.

"The government of France is anxious to recognize the valor and sacrifice of U.S. servicemen and women who served in France during the war," according to a letter presented by the Military Officers Association of America. "These 100 veterans are intended to represent all the young Americans who fought in France during the war."

President George W. Bush will join them and some of his more vocal critics of the Iraq war – including French President Jacques Chirac, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder. It will be the first time Germany will participate in a liberation celebration. Iraq war supporters British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Australian Prime Minister John Howard will also be there.

With so many world leaders in the one spot, France has said it will deploy 15,000 soldiers and police to provide the security.

The commemorations, which French Veterans Affairs Minister Hamlaoui Mekachera has said will deliver a "message of peace", occur against the backdrop of the war in Iraq.

In The Sky

In commemoration of the 60th anniversary of D-Day, Air France is offering U.S. veterans, and members of their immediate family who accompany them, a special fare between the airline's U.S. gateways and Paris.

Any veteran born before January 1, 1930, who wishes to observe this historic occasion in France between June 1, 2004 and August 31, 2004 is eligible for this special offer. The special fares are available from Air France gateways for those flying from Atlanta, Boston, Cincinnati, Miami, New York City, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco

Voices of Those Who Served

American veteran Bill Campbell: "If we cannot forget exactly what happened...these American boys that have died here and are buried here will not have died in vain ... Give them a chance to be heroes."

German veteran Ignaz Freiherr von Landsberg-Velen: "I hope it will be a very good possibility to remember ... and warn."

Canadian veteran Fenton Daley, 89, who witnessed the battle: "It's important for everyone to remember what happened on D-Day. The French and Dutch will never forget the soldiers who helped free them from Hitler's occupation. They never forget to tell you that, that they owe a lot to those who helped give them back their country."

"Every French family has a story to tell ... We want to do all we can" to honor the aging World War II veterans while they are still alive," said Nathalie Loiseau, spokeswoman for the French Embassy in Washington, D.C.

Congratulations and thank you Charles Uranga, retired colonel, Julia Paparella, 82 year-old, Ysidor Sanchez of San Jose, California, Charles Hostler, 84, of Coronado, California, and the 96 others to be honored in Normandy. Thank you to those they represent who can not be there, to those husbands, wives, and children who have been impacted by war. And thank you to all those who are in service, today.

Today, this week, this month, we express our gratitude to those who did the work, not just in World War II but in all service to their country.

Personally, I have chosen to fast today. It's the least I can do for those who have sacrificed so much. Especially after recently seeing To End All Wars.

Inspire & Be Inspired.

~jck

P.S. This year and every year, you are invited to join others in America on this day at 3 pm for a National Moment of Remembrance.

For further information, go to: Remember.gov