"80 for 80" - Help us thank the last living veterans of D-Day!

Today, the average age of living WWII veterans is 97. We can't thank them enough for their service and sacrifice as young men and women who braved the violence of war. This year, at the Normandy American Military Cemetery in France, 150 WWII veterans are expected to attend the Commemorative Ceremony.

On June 6 at the Normandy American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer, France, a grateful people will mark the 80th anniversary of the beginning of the end of WWII in Europe. And, ABMF will continue its focus of education and outreach, especially for programs that teach young people why we Remember & Honor those Americans who gave their lives so that others may live in freedom.

Your donation will help support these efforts of education and outreach as well as memorial events at American military cemeteries and memorials maintained by the American Battle Monuments Commission.

When you donate $80 or more, we'll include your name on the ABMF website as a supporter of the ABMF wreath laid to honor our fallen heroes.

Thank you for helping us protect history. Thank you for helping us Remember & Honor: Then, Now, Forever.

Although donation amounts are shown in US dollars, ABMF is grateful to receive your contribution in euros, British pounds, and all other major currencies.

About the image:

Sainte-Mère-Église (Holy Mother Church) was among the first French towns liberated by the Allies on June 6, D-Day. It is located at the crossing point of five main roads and is only seven miles from what became known as Utah beach. Control of this strategic location would severely limit German troop movement. As such, the Americans chose it as the heart of the jump zones for the D-day paratrooper and glider-infantry drops.

In the pre-dawn hours, a fire broke out in the village center, providing a point of reference for the pilots, but also creating a shooting opportunity for Nazi soldiers. Private John Steele of the 82^nd Airborne Division, was an American “stick” (paratrooper), who was mistakenly dropped over the town, was hit with shrapnel and had his chute trapped on the church steeple. He hung there for two and half hours, playing dead in hopes of avoiding capture. When he was cut loose by a German soldier, he was taken prisoner.

By 5AM, the Allies had secured the village and the stars and stripes hung from the town hall. Although they were lightly armed, the Allies prevailed under heavy German counterattacks until reinforcements arrived the afternoon of June 7.

Steele escaped three days later. He rejoined the Allies and was transferred to a hospital in England. He returned to the front lines and fought in several significant battles through the end of WWII.

Today, the people of Sainte-Mère-Église remember and honor the men of the 82^nd and 101^st Airborne Divisions by keeping a permanent marker of its liberation with a parachute hung from the church steeple. The book and movie, “The Longest Day,” tells their story.