Abilene, Kan. – The D-Day 80th Anniversary Commemoration Week at the Eisenhower Presidential Library in Abilene, Kan., is set to be a truly memorable experience. Starting with the Symphony at Sunset Annual D-Day Concert on June 1, the week progresses with the World War II Emerging Scholars Symposium culminating in the Remembrance Ceremony and Veterans Panel on June 6.
The Salina Symphony is tuning up for an unforgettable Symphony at Sunset concert on Saturday, June 1. The schedule is packed with activities starting at 1 p.m. with various Hands-on History Carts in the museum, food vendors, Mounted Color Guard Demonstrations, a flight simulator and additional displays. Performances by the Flint Hills Children’s Choir, Everyday Lights, and Fort Riley’s 1st Infantry Division Band lead up to the 8:30 p.m. patriotic orchestral performance featuring the Salina Symphony, conducted by Yaniv Segal.
Join us in honoring our veterans and celebrating the spirit of togetherness at this patriotic event. While admission is free, your generous donations to the Eisenhower Foundation will ensure the continuity of programming for future years. Don’t forget, museum admission is complimentary for the entire day, offering you a chance to explore and to learn. Be sure to visit the D-Day Remembered—Photographs by Fabrice Bourge photo exhibition. The Symphony at Sunset Concert is generously sponsored by the Community Foundation of Dickinson County, Marshall Motors of Salina, and the Friends of the Eisenhower Foundation. Additional support is also provided by Kansas Gas Service and Vyve Broadband.
June 4-6, the Eisenhower, Roosevelt, and Truman Presidential Libraries host the annual WWII Emerging Scholars Symposium dedicated to honoring the significance of D-Day. This virtual event delves into specialized topics surrounding the Allied endeavors in World War II, offering a platform for budding scholars to showcase their expertise. This year participants will explore different ways in which the United States attempted to attain and maintain peace. Each presentation is allocated a one-hour slot, followed by a Scholar Spotlight segment that provides a glimpse into the promising futures of these historians.
The week-long commemoration of the D-Day 80th Anniversary concludes on June 6. Immerse yourself in the stories of heroes at the Meet a World War II Veteran Reception at 9 a.m, followed by a Remembrance Ceremony at 11 a.m. and the Veterans Panel at 2 p.m. Enjoy complimentary museum admission, engage with reenactors and delve into history with the Hands-On History Carts. The June 6 veterans spotlight events are generously sponsored by Tim and Brenda Holm, Nancy Gugler in honor of Wendell Gugler, 10th Mountain Division, and the You Were Worth It Foundation.
This commemoration week is not just an event; it is a chance to honor, learn and connect with the remarkable legacy of Dwight Eisenhower and our nation’s greatest generation. Complete schedule details can be found on the Eisenhower Presidential Library’s website at eisenhowerlibrary.gov/public-programs/commemorate-d-day.
