War Memorial to commemorate 80th anniversary of D-Day
GROSSE POINTE FARMS April 22, 2024 – A most appropriate sculpture will serve as the backdrop of an upcoming D-Day ceremony in metro Detroit.
A 6 p.m. ceremony is planned for June 6, 2024, at The War Memorial to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day. The War Memorial, located on the shores of Lake St. Clair in Grosse Pointe Farms, is a contemporary patriotic, cultural and community leader organization celebrating our 75th anniversary in 2024.
Dedicated in May 2023, the 50-foot-wide and 25-foot-tall Les Braves II: At Water’s Edge sculpture at The War Memorial is the official world-wide twin of Les Braves in Normandy, France, originally created for the 60th anniversary of the D-Day invasion and sculpted by French artist Anilore Banon. Les Braves II is the only one of its kind in the U.S. The first sculpture, located in the Vierville-sur-Mer on Omaha Beach, has the same three stainless steel wings and towers which stand proudly as a lasting tribute to the western Allies that landed on Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944, during World War II. Les Braves II is situated on the lakefront lawn of our historic campus.
“I created this sculpture to honor the courage of these men - sons, husbands and fathers, who endangered and often sacrificed their lives in the hope of freeing the French people,” Banon said.
The War Memorial’s D-Day ceremony will also feature a USO-inspired concert from the Rhythm Society Orchestra, remarks from Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives Joe Tate, and Brig. Gen. Michael Lalor, the commanding general of the U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command. Brig. Gen. Rolf Mammen, a member of The War Memorial Board of Directors, will serve as ceremony emcee.
Additionally, guests are encouraged to arrive early to explore the wonders in the CAF (Commemorative Air Force) Rise Above traveling exhibit. The exhibit will be open at The War Memorial from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 5; 12 - 7 p.m. on June 6; and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 7 and June 8.
The Rise Above Traveling Exhibit is a mobile movie theater featuring an inspirational film about the Tuskegee Airmen and the Women Airforce Service Pilots.
For more information on Les Braves II, please click here.
About The War Memorial
The War Memorial, located on the shores of Lake St. Clair in Grosse Pointe Farms is an experiential space open to everyone. Celebrating 75 years as a nonprofit organization in 2024, The War Memorial serves as a patriotic, cultural, and community center. Our diverse lineup of innovative programming includes live engagement experiences for adults and children. For 75 years, The War Memorial has celebrated the ideas of American democracy while honoring those who have defended those ideas with tireless effort and personal sacrifice. The War Memorial remains committed to serving the community as a unique, dynamic, and forward-thinking hub for southeast Michigan.
To learn more, please click here.
CONTACT:
Alex Szwarc, The War Memorial
Manager of Communications and Marketing
313.881.7514, aszwarc@warmemorial.org