File photo by Donna Dalziel

Royal Oak event to commemorate 80th anniversary of D-Day

By: Taylor Christensen | Royal Oak Review | Published June 6, 2024

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Iola Sobeck, John Sobeck's widow, left, and Linda Alvira, the daughter of D-Day veteran Clifford Alvira, a Royal Oak resident who passed away April 24 at the age of 99, lay a wreath at the Michigan World War II Legacy Memorial honoring those who fought on D-Day in 1944.

80th anniversary of D-Day sheds light on true American heroes

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ROYAL OAK — Thursday, June 6, marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day, and to commemorate this day, the Michigan World War II Legacy Memorial board of directors will be hosting an event.

The event will be from noon to 5 p.m. June 6 at the Michigan WWII Legacy Memorial at Memorial Park, 31100 Woodward Ave. in Royal Oak.

A commemorative ceremony will be led by John Maten, president of the Michigan WWII Legacy Memorial, beginning at 12:30 p.m.

Family members of D-Day veteran John Sobeck (founder of Detroit’s Original Chicken Shack), and Linda Alvira, the daughter of D-Day veteran Clifford Alvira, will lay a wreath honoring those who took part in the D-Day operation.

There will be various displays available for people to view put up by The Military Vehicle Collectors Club of Michigan and the U.S. Army and Marine Corps recruiting offices.

Birmingham resident Jim Cassell, a collector, will be putting up a display of his private collection of Japanese Navy and Army rifles.

Mission BBQ will be providing food at the event.

The event is open to the public, but D-Day veterans and WWII veterans are encouraged to RSVP so that they can be acknowledged during the program. RSVP at michiganww2memorial.org.

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