Latest news with #TheNationalD-DayMuseum
Axios
5 days ago
- General
- Axios
WWII Museum at 25: Honoring stories before they're lost
The National WWII Museum is marking its 25th anniversary in the coming days by honoring the people who can still share firsthand stories of the war that shaped the modern world. Why it matters: The New Orleans museum will welcome back WWII veterans and Holocaust survivors, whose numbers are dwindling as the years pass. The big picture: The museum hosts several events during the next week in honor of the anniversary, including: The 2025 American Spirit Awards gala Friday night. A remembrance gathering at 6:30am June 6 to mark the moment the invasion of Normandy began. "The Eyes of the World" multimedia concert at The Orpheum on June 6. (Tickets) Dinner with a curator to discuss WWII-era New Orleans. A luminaria display on the museum grounds to honor the 2,510 Americans who died on D-Day. Full list of events. Catch up quick: The venue opened 25 years ago as The National D-Day Museum. It was housed in a single exhibition hall and dedicated to telling the stories of the Americans who participated in the amphibious invasion. Fun fact: The Higgins boats used on D-Day were designed and built in New Orleans. Fewer than 10 original boats remain in existence. President Dwight D. Eisenhower called Andrew Higgins "the man who won the war for us" thanks to his namesake landing craft. State of play: Today, the museum spans seven pavilions and has immersive exhibits and an expansive collection of artifacts. Museum staff say it's critical to collect the oral history from veterans, as fewer than half of a percent of the 16.4 million Americans who served are still living. About 300 Louisiana WWII veterans were alive last year, compared with about 1,150 the year before, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. "We have the enormous responsibility to ensure that the memories and experiences of the war will not be lost as those who lived through it leave this world," said Stephen J. Watson, president and CEO of the museum, in a statement.
Epoch Times
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Epoch Times
Gary Sinise's Foundation Hosting Veterans' Trip to National WWII Museum in New Orleans
Award-winning actor Gary Sinise is once again helping one of America's greatest generations, the veterans of World War II, embark on an adventure of a lifetime. The 'Forrest Gump' star's nonprofit organization, the Gary Sinise Foundation, is hosting an all-expenses-paid trip to Louisiana later this month for those who served during the 1939–1945 global war. 'We're bringing World War II veterans and their guardians to New Orleans to tour the National WWII Museum built in their honor,' the charity's Their experience includes entertainment, celebratory meals, and community building with their fellow heroes.' The annual excursion, which will take place from April 29 to May 2, is part of the foundation's 'Soaring Valor' program. Launched in 2015, the initiative was expanded two years later to allow high school students to tag along. 'Our WWII veterans fought to save the world from tyranny. The freedom we know today is thanks to their bravery and valor. They taught us the true meaning of patriotism, and we remain forever grateful for their sacrifices,' the website says. 'Students who accompany our veterans carry on their stories with a new appreciation for the sacrifices made by an entire generation.' Related Stories 11/15/2024 11/16/2020 Formerly known as The National D-Day Museum, the New Orleans exhibition notes 'Every veteran is a living library. We've partnered with The National WWII Museum to record the individual stories of America's Greatest Generation and share them with the world,' Sinise's nonprofit said. Veterans who want to participate but cannot travel will still have the opportunity to be interviewed by a historian in their homes. Sinise, 70, began helping service members following the deadly Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the New York World Trade Center. He established the foundation a decade later to continue his support of wounded veterans and first responders. In addition to 'Soaring Valor,' some of the charity's other projects include the Restoring Independence Supporting Empowerment (R.I.S.E.) program, which works to build specially adapted smart homes for severely wounded veterans. Veterans who have suffered trauma, injury, or illness can get financial assistance, such as help in paying bills or buying groceries, through the nonprofit's H.O.P.E. initiative. The organization also supports the needs of first responders by providing funding for necessary equipment, emergency relief, and training.
