D-Day Veterans, 80 Years Later
This Thursday, June 6, is a date of great significance: the 80th anniversary of D-Day – the invasion of Normandy – widely considered a major turning point of World War II. The commemoration happening in Normandy will be the most extensive in history, and your family can follow the example set by the organizers, honoring veterans of WWII and beyond for their incredible sacrifice.
This article gives a great encapsulation of this year’s event. If you’d like to read more about the WWII veterans who are still with us, the National WWII Museum has gathered some interesting statistics here.
The numbers hammer home the reality of the CNN article: this year’s D-Day memorial could be the last major milestone commemoration with living veterans of that day present. And while your family may not be attending an official D-Day event, you can show your respect and gratitude in an even more impactful way – through a personal connection. As of 2023, there were nearly 3,000 WWII veterans living in Arizona, which means there are certainly a number of them being served by our local veterans’ organizations, along with countless veterans of other conflicts. Connect with Disabled American Veterans (DAV) through the “I Would Like to Help” form on their website and they will help you find a veteran who needs assistance with medical appointments, errands, or household chores. Even the youngest members of your family can help pick out groceries, or pick weeds, or ride along to the doctor!
You can also brighten a veteran’s day from a little further away, by becoming a pen pal through Heal Vets. Fill out the form on their website and they will send you the name of a veteran looking to connect. Social isolation is a major obstacle for all of us as we get older, and your communication could be the bright spot in their day. Plus, letter writing is another great activity for the kids in your life to help with, and the prospect of receiving mail in return will make it just as exciting for them as it is for the person receiving your letters!
If your heart is still full of love for our veterans and the desire to be of service, consider reaching out to one of Desert Mission’s veterans. We include their names in our newsletter each Veterans Day, and you might reach out to offer help as needed or just your company – there’s no need to wait 80 years to give them the commemoration they deserve. And feel free to share your D-Day commemorations with us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
