The National World War II Museum will open its year long commemoration of the events leading to the end of World War II with special ceremonies planned for June 6, 2009, the 65th Anniversary of the Invasion of Normandy. The Invasion of France, and its hard-fought aftermath, was the beginning of the end for the Axis Powers.
"There are only 2.3 million World War II veterans alive today. That's down from the 16 million under arms in 1945," said Dr. Gordon H. "Nick" Mueller, President and CEO of the Museum. "We are losing this ‘greatest generation' rapidly, and by the time America's National World War II Museum is complete, only about 850,000 will still be with us," Mueller said.
The New Orleans-based Museum extends an invitation to World War II Veterans from each state, along with their families, to attend and participate in a special ceremony to thank those who gave so much and the families of those, who made the ultimate sacrifice, in the defense of the freedoms that we continue to enjoy today.
The veterans in attendance will represent each state in the ceremony that will commence at 2:00 PM in the main Pavilion of the Museum. A designated veteran representing each state will announce the number of service men and women who served from that state in the war, how many were killed and wounded, and how many are still alive.

The ceremony will include recognition of the six branches of the military and the divisions and units represented by the veterans that fought throughout Europe and the Pacific.
Each World War II Veteran present will receive a special commemorative certificate from the Museum as an expression of its thanks and appreciation for their service. In addition, the Research Department of the Museum will arrange to have each veteran donate his or her personal story to the museum so that their experiences in WWII maybe properly preserved in the Museum for future generations.
World War II Veterans and members of the families, who died in defense of our Country, are urged to attend, and are invited to register to participate by e-mailing their name/the name of the deceased veteran, his or her unit, dates of service, and contact information to American Legion Past National Commander Bill Detweiler, bill.detweiler@nationalww2museum.org .
Veterans may also register by completing the registration application for "A Gathering of the Greatest Generation" which can be found by clicking on the banner headline "We Want You" the top of on the Museum web site www.nationalww2museum.org .