June 6 will mark the 81st anniversary of the allied landing at D-Day that went on to liberate Europe and defeat the Nazis. D-Day was the beginning of the end of World War II.
The start of U.S. involvement in World War II had been the Japanese attack on the U.S. base at Pearl Harbor – “a day that will live in infamy.” The final phase of the European war began with a carefully planned invasion, known as D-Day – a day that lives in courage and honor. Only two-and-a-half years elapsed from the day that lived in infamy to the day that lived in courage and honor.
D-Day anniversary ceremonies will be held in Normandy, France, near the landing beaches and the cemetery. Additionally, national ceremonies will be held in the United States.
One unusual ceremony is taking place at the Talladega Marksmanship Park from June 5 to 8. The "D-Day Matches," organized by the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP), include a sports shotgun tournament and rifle and pistol events.
You would think that the Talladega weapons of today aren’t the same types of weapons carried ashore by U.S. and allied military in 1944 at D-Day. Some may well be the same or similar – M1, Garand, Springfield and Carbine.
For details and to register for the events, click here..
The John C. Garand D-Day Anniversary Match is a series of rifle and pistol events, scheduled to commemorate D-Day.
The event will include Garand, Springfield and Vintage Military matches, including a three-gun aggregate. There will be an Iron Man Garand EIC Rifle Match, Carbine Match, Roosevelt Commemorative Match, Vintage Sniper rifle team match, a 1911 As-Issued Pistol match and a Military & Police Pistol Match. There will also be ceremonies, giveaways and World War II memorabilia in remembrance of this special date in U.S history.
CMP welcomes competitors to attend the matches in period uniforms and bring historic items for display.
Details can be found here.
Jim ‘Zig’ Zeigler’s beat is the colorful and positive about Alabama -- her people, places, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former Alabama Public Service Commissioner and State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at [email protected].
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