Smithsonian
For the ninth year in a row, the Alexandria-Caen Sister Cities committee will be hosting events commemorating the anniversary of D-day.
This June marks 75 years since the Allied Forces stormed the shores of German-occupied Normandy, leading to a victory that became the turning point of World War II. According to chairperson Jennifer Reading, the two upcoming events will make up the largest D-day celebration the committee has held thus far.
The first, hosted on June 1 in collaboration with the Office of Historic Alexandria, will also be the first large event held at the new Waterfront Park. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the entire family is invited to observe World War II-era vehicles, enjoy performances from a couple dozen re-enactors, take a painting class in a miniature French market, listen to live music and much more.
From 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., an official program will be held featuring Mayor Justin Wilson, two World War II veterans and a special guest: Mrs. Catherine Pradal-Chazarenc, the first Deputy Mayor of Caen in charge of International Relations.
The second event will be held in the Lyceum on June 6, the actual day of the D-day anniversary, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. A panel of distinguished current and retired U.S. military members will discuss the significance of D-day and how it changed the trajectory of the United States, current and retired
Tickets are $10, and a wine and cheese reception will be held afterwards.
Reading hopes the events will educate Alexandria residents, especially young people, about the World War II era and the relationship between France and America at the time.
"I sometimes hear people say that in France people are rude to Americans, but go to Normandy. Still today, it is a completely different culture. It's so welcoming,” Reading said. "The memory of D-day is still there, and there's still grateful sentiment to Allied nations and people."
Dwight Eisenhower, who served as the supreme commander of the Allied Forces for D-day, established Sister Cities International in 1956 to promote peace and connection between different communities around the world. Caen became one of Alexandria’s sister cities in 1991, under Mayor Patsy Ticer. Like Alexandria, Caen is a port city. Seventy percent of Caen was destroyed during the Battle of Normandy, but rebuilding efforts following the war were successful, and Caen is currently the third largest city in Normandy.
In addition to celebrating the D-day anniversary, the Alexandria-Caen Sister Cities committee holds meetings once a month and organizes exchange programs between Alexandria and Caen, among other programming.
