Memorial Event: Flames of Memory

Friday night begins one of my favorite events at the National D-Day Memorial - Flames of Memory.  We will be lighting 4,413 luminaries from Friday, December 13th until Sunday, December 15th.  This is one light for each and every Allied soldier, sailor, and airmen killed in action on June 6, 1944 as the Allied forces launched the largest amphibious operation in history.  Luminaries will line the path from the Memorial’s entrance all the way to the Memorial’s wall of names in the main plaza.  The Memorial is encouraging visitors to come see this stunning display of luminaries.  Admission will be free but donations are appreciated on the night of the event.  All proceeds benefit the National D-Day Memorial.

The public is invited to join us on site each night from 6PM to 10PM, free admission.  Visitors are invited to walk through the site to experience this moving experience.  In addition to the luminaries, visitors will hear the sounds of Christmas music through the site, and visit a special Christmas in wartime display with living historians in a 1940s encampment. 





We at the National D-Day Memorial Foundation are very pleased to announce that we have been accepted as a "Wreaths Across America" location.  A wonderful complement to our luminary event, the mission of "Wreaths Across America" is to "Remember, Honor, and Teach" others about the sacrifices made by those who have served and continue to serve in our Armed Forces.  This is carried out in part by coordinating wreath laying ceremonies on Saturday, December 14 at Arlington, as well as veterans' cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states.

On December 14th at noon there will be a wreath laying ceremony to remember those who fell in the service of our country as well as to honor our veterans and active duty military personnel deployed worldwide.  A total of eleven wreaths will be laid as part of the ceremony.  The seven ceremonial wreaths are donated by Morrill Worcester of Worcester Wreath Company and have a red bow and an American flag accompanied by a service flag. The ceremonial wreaths consist of one wreath each for the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine, and one for POW/MIA.  Four additional sponsorship wreaths will be laid as part of the ceremony. The sponsorship wreaths are sponsored by Ray and Barbara Antunes and American Legion Post #8 of Cherryfield, Maine.

National D-Day Memorial Foundation President April Cheek-Messier noted “We are delighted to become a part of the Wreaths Across America initiative.  The wreath laying ceremony will be an excellent complement to our luminary display.  Bringing awareness to the sacrifices made by those who have served our country is important every day of the year and even more important during the holidays.”  The Memorial will open its doors free of charge from 11am to 1pm to accommodate those who wish to attend the wreath laying ceremony.  

We hope to see you at the National D-Day Memorial this weekend for Flames of Memory.

Until next time, 

Felicia