NORFOLK, Va. — Thursday marks the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion. Several events are happening in the region and beyond Thursday through Sunday commemorating the international allied attack on Nazi Germany.
The June 6, 1944, D-Day invasion of Nazi-occupied France was unprecedented in scale and audacity, using the largest-ever armada of ships, troops, planes and vehicles to punch a hole in Adolf Hitler's defenses in Western Europe and change the course of World War II.
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Here are a few events coming up that look back at the bravery of those who landed on the beaches of Normandy.
The Girl Who Wore Freedom Film Screening | June 6 | Norfolk
The public is invited to a free film screening of the documentary "The Girl Who Wore Freedom" on Thursday starting at 6:30 p.m. at the MacArthur Memorial Visitors Center.
"The film tells the story of D-Day from the perspective of French men, women and children who lived through German occupation and witnessed the Allied liberation of Normandy."
D-Day Commemoration Event | June 8 | Virginia Beach
The Military Aviation Museum is hosting a series of events commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day landings on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be a presentation, activities and a Warbird flight demonstration. It's included in museum admission. You can go to their site for more information on the planned events.
80th Anniversary Commemorations at National D-Day Memorial | June 6 - 9 | Bedford
The National D-Day Memorial in Bedford Virginia is hosting a series of events Thursday through Sunday, commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day invasion. The Memorial is definitely a while away from Hampton Roads, but it's a must-see experience for history enthusiasts or just those wanting to pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom 80 years ago.
The events start on Thursday the official commemoration starting at 11 a.m. with WWII-era aircraft taking to the sky. Then at 6:15 p.m., there will be a specific tribute to the 19 Bedford Boys who died in the initial attack on Normandy.
On Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., the Morial will have a multi-media sensory display created by Virginia Tech's Insitute for Creativity, Arts and Technology.
On Sunday, there will be a Field Chapel Service set in 1944, showing how soldiers made time for their faith in times of struggle.