Remembering D-Day at the War Memorial

GROSSE POINTE FARMS — On June 6, the War Memorial, 32 Lake Shore Road in Grosse Pointe Farms, will mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day — which turned the tide in World War II as the Allies stormed Normandy beaches in France to wrest back control of the country from Nazi Germany. The grounds will open at 5 p.m. that day for the event, which will start at 6 p.m. and will include remarks from Brig. Gen. Michael Lalor, a live air show over Lake St. Clair, a 1940s-era USO concert by the Detroit Rhythm Society and more. Food trucks will be on-site. Guests can also bring their own food and beverages, but by Michigan law, they cannot bring alcohol onto the campus. Attendees are invited to bring their own chairs as well for this program, which is free but requires advance registration by visiting The War Memorial’s website at warmemorial.org.

Along with this event, The War Memorial is hosting “Rise Above,” a traveling exhibition and immersive mobile movie theater that will explore the obstacles faced by the Tuskegee Airmen and Women Airforce Service Pilots. Presented by the Commemorative Air Force Red Tail Squadron, “Rise Above” will be on view at The War Memorial from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 5, noon to 7 p.m. June 6, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 7 and 8. The exhibition is free and open to the public, but the trailer — which is climate-controlled and accessible — can only accommodate about 30 to 40 visitors per short movie showing.