ArmchairGeneral.com received the following information from the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia. Contact information for those who wish to respond appears at the end of  the article.

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National D-Day Memorial Seeking D-Day Vets Across Nation for Coming Anniversary

The National D-Day Memorial is inviting all D-Day veterans from around the nation to gather at the nation’s memorial to the Normandy invasion for the 65th Anniversary of D-Day coming this June. With most D-Day veterans in their mid-80s, the gathering is anticipated to be the last large-scale observance of the anniversary. As such, this anniversary is expected to be especially poignant for vets and their families. The National D-Day Memorial has a four-day observance planned to provide opportunities for veterans to share their stories and have them preserved for posterity.

Admission to the Memorial is free all day on June 6th, but the Memorial is still anxious to hear from D-Day veterans planning to attend the commemoration to share news about special vets-only opportunities. Special seating is available for veterans at the commemoration ceremony on the morning of June 6th, but they must contact the National D-Day Memorial to reserve seating now. D-Day vets can also arrange to have their oral histories recorded during their visit by appointment, or by phone following the anniversary. Planned activities for June 6th include a commemoration ceremony at 11AM featuring wreath-layings and recognition of D-Day veterans, USO shows, displays, booksignings by D-Day veteran authors, and a nighttime illumination of the Memorial with thousands of luminaries in honor of the D-Day fallen.

More than 150,000 Allied soldiers, sailors, and airmen participated in the Normandy invasion of June 6th, now known simply as D-Day. Approximately half of that number were Americans. More than 4400 Allied servicemen lost their lives on D-Day. The National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia commemorates the valor, fidelity, and sacrifice of Allied D-Day forces. Now in its eights year of operation, the Memorial is located in the town sustaining the highest per capita D-Day losses in the nation. 19 of the 26 sons Bedford sent to D-Day were killed in the first wave at Omaha Beach.

D-Day veterans are encouraged to contact the National D-Day Memorial Foundation at (800) 351-3329 to make arrangements or via email at dday@dday.org. For full details about the Memorial and the 65th Anniversary, click here. are available at www.dday.org.

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