WILMINGTON — As Saturday marks the 82nd anniversary of World War II’s Allied Invasions of Normandy, the U.S.S. North Carolina will light up in honor of those who fought.
The illumination will act as a memorial to the 11,000 North Carolinians who gave their lives and more than 10,000 men who served aboard the Battleship. On June 6, the ship will light up at sunset and remain visible throughout the evening from downtown and the waterfront.
“The anniversary of D-Day gives us an opportunity to reflect on the immense courage required of those who crossed the English Channel and stormed the beaches of Normandy,” Dr. Jay C. Martin, executive director of the Battleship, said in a press release. “Their actions helped secure the freedoms we enjoy today.”
Allied forces launched Operation Overlord on June 6, 1944, marking the western front against Nazi Germany. It continues to be the largest invasion in military history as over 156,000 troops landed on the beaches of Normandy, France, facing intense enemy fire.
The special uplighting not only honors courage and sacrifice of those troops but serves as a reminder of the fight for freedom during World War II.
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