https://www.youtube.com/live/lpZTGfGwNYI?si=yj4YESJhcYrxf7rJ For almost a quarter of a century, the National D-Day Memorial Foundation staff has carried out research to answer a question no one had ever really answered: exactly how many Allied personnel died on D-Day? To date, 4,415 individuals have been identified, including 2,502 Americans on the Memorial’s Necrology Wall.   Learn more about this groundbreaking research project as we approach the 80th anniversary of D-Day from John D. Long, Director of Education at the National D-Day Memorial.  About the speaker: John D. Long is an alumnus of Roanoke College and the University of Virginia. A museum professional for...

https://www.youtube.com/live/jIx7f4oB8QI?si=H5zMQUB2YJp6rdME While many of those who are interested in World War II know about the existence of conscientious objectors—those that refused to participate in the war for religious or philosophical reasons—the actual history of their experience in the war is often forgotten. Who were the conscientious objectors, why did they refuse to fight, and what did they do instead of serving in the armed forces? Join National D-Day Memorial educator Mitchell Gehman to learn more about this unique side of the WWII experience. Mitchell Gehman is the Education & Public Outreach Coordinator at the National D-Day Memorial. He holds a...

Pittsburgh television anchor Michelle Wright will speak on her book The Secret Diary, the true story of an American aviator’s POW experience in Europe. After his B-24 was shot down in 1944, Marvin Doyle (a pre-war resident of Roanoke, VA and a student at Virginia Tech) endured months of captivity and documented his experiences by keeping a journal on flattened cigarette packs. Wright would inherit this makeshift diary from Doyle’s widow, and collected his writings in her book, copies of which she will sign after her talk. About the speaker: Michelle Wright anchors Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 every weekday morning. A native...

https://youtu.be/YKspKS7L1sI?si=Vt9JtItKhoZGQTuC

D-Day was, above all, an amphibious assault. As much as history heralds the valiant soldier on the beach, it is self-evident that without a massive Allied fleet behind him he would never be anywhere near France. Learn more about what was required for victory in the most crucial invasion of the war as Capt. James Ransom (USN Ret.) explores aspects of naval power, its capabilities and consequences, on June 6, 1944 in this virtual lecture. About the speaker: Capt. James "Jim" Ransom (USN Ret.) a Bachelor of Science degree in History from the U.S. Naval Academy, and a Master of...

This year’s 80th anniversary of D-Day commemorations has focused the public’s attention on the historic 1944 invasion of France during World War II and its legacy. Join the National Museum of the United States Army to look at how museums and historical organizations interpret and remember D-Day’s meaning, importance, and legacy. Panelists will include John Long of the National D-Day Memorial, Benjamin Brands of the American Battlefields Monument Commission, and Peter Crean of the National WWII Museum. The virtual history talk is free, but registration is required.