The anniversary of the Allied landing at Normandy will be marked with a special ceremony at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia.

Keynote Address by Joseph Balkoski

Joseph Balkoski

Keynote speaker is renowned historian Joseph Balkoski, author of eight books on American involvement in the European Theater in World War II, including a five-volume series on the history of the 29th Infantry Division in World War II and a two-volume set on American participation in the D-Day invasion.

In 2004, Balkoski published Omaha Beach, which meticulously documented the June 6, 1944, American invasion of that pivotal Normandy objective. Two years later, he released Utah Beach, which told the story of the amphibious and airborne operation in Normandy’s Cotentin Peninsula on D-Day. The two-volume set was critically well received. The Wall Street Journal described Balkoski as “a true maestro of original D-Day history.” At the same time, USA Today categorized him as “the top living D-Day historian.”

Balkoski served for many years as the command historian of the Maryland National Guard and ran the 29th Infantry Division Archives and Maryland Museum of Military History in Baltimore. He has served as an adjunct professor at the University of Baltimore and the Community College of Baltimore County. He frequently conducts battlefield staff rides in the U.S. and Europe for U.S. Army soldiers as part of their military training.

At the conclusion of the ceremony join us for the annual procession to Homage sculpture for You Shall Never be Forgotten, the dedication of the Red Ball Express plaque, book signing with Joeseph Balkoski (at approximately 12:45PM), and guided tours starting at 1PM.

The Centennial Legacy of Bob Slaughter Panel Discussion

Join us at 2PM in the Bobbie G. Johnson Pavilion for this panel discussion featuring Bob Slaughter Jr.; Joseph Balkoski, WWII Historian and Author; Byron Dickson, architect of the National D-Day Memorial; and April Cheek-Messier, the Foundation’s President and CEO. The event will be moderated by John Long, the Foundation’s Director of Education. Discover the late Memorial founder’s journey from soldier to visionary with a mission to honor all those who served on D-Day.

Free admission all day on June 6. Guests are encouraged to bring a chair. No coolers, no food in plaza. No pets (service dogs welcome).

Thank you to our event sponsors.