On the evening of June 5th, the Friends of the National World War II Memorial will host a Remembrance Ceremony and Candlelit Vigil to honor all those who died during Operation Overlord (June 6 – August 30, 1944). As part of the ceremony, we will be reading the names of those who gave their lives and are buried at Normandy American Cemetery in France. Unfortunately, there is no complete list of all those who died during Operation Overlord. However, we will be reading those names identified through the Normandy American Cemetery. We will also honor all who made the ultimate sacrifice during Operation Overlord.

On June 5th, names will be read beginning at 4 p.m. and continue through 5 p.m. at which time we will host a brief ceremony featuring remarks by Barbara George, daughter of Captain Malcolm L. George who died on June 7, 1944 after landing with the invasion force on D-Day. Then, starting at 5:30 p.m. through 12 a.m., we will continue reading the names of the nearly 9,000 individuals buried at Normandy American Cemetery who died during Operation Overlord. We will read the names chronologically by day, and then within each day alphabetically.

If you would like to participate in the Reading of the Names, please fill out this form. A single volunteer slot requires reading 20 names.