This week’s Rotary of Marion guest speaker was Rotarian Steve Taylor. Steve gave an inspiring presentation about Operation Overlord 2014, a new project that entails taking surviving Normandy invasion campaign veterans living in North Carolina and Virginia to Bedford, Virginia for the 70th Anniversary commemoration.
The 70th Anniversary commemoration of D-day will kick off on Friday, June 6, 2014 at 11am at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia. Special commemoration events will be held daily and conclude with a field chapel service on Sunday, June 8.
The trip to the memorial is free for all Normandy invasion campaign veterans living in Virginia and North Carolina. Local Rotary Clubs will provide transportation, meals, overnight stays (when applicable), guardians to assist vets, and wheelchairs.
A Normandy Invasion Campaign Veteran is defined as any American veteran able to describe in writing his/her participation in the Normandy Campaign (Operation Overlord), from June 6- August 31, 1944 or has documented evidence of receiving an official Normandy Battle Campaign credit. Acceptable participation would include involvement in pre-invasion air strikes; actual landing or air assaults (paratroops and gliders); follow-up reinforcements; off-shore naval support; air cover or air reconnaissance missions; deception operations; and naval, land or aerial logistical support, medical, and resupply operations.
Rotary requests the help of the public in identifying these special veterans. If you are, or know of a Normandy Invasion Campaign Veteran, please visithttp://www.overlord2014.com/ for more information or to complete the registration form.