Jun 6, 2025 - News
How many WWII veterans call MO and KS home
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Today marks 81 years since D-Day, when Allied troops stormed the beaches of Normandy, changing the course of World War II.
- As the nation pauses to remember, fewer WWII veterans remain with us, including here in the heartland.
By the numbers: Nationally, roughly 66,100 WWII veterans remain as of 2024.
- Missouri is home to 1,321 living WWII veterans.
- Kansas has 352 surviving veterans.
What to know: If you're up for a road trip, the Eisenhower Presidential Library in Abilene, Kansas, is hosting two standout events.
- Today, Winning the War, a Kansas City PBS documentary exploring the WWII legacies of Harry S. Truman and Dwight D. Eisenhower, will screen at 2 p.m. at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum in Abilene, Kansas, followed by a panel discussion with Eisenhower's granddaughter, Truman's grandson, and historians.
- On Saturday, the annual D-Day Commemoration Concert kicks off at 4 p.m. at the museum, featuring live music, military demonstrations, and a flag ceremony. The event is free and open to the public.
Are you a Kansas or Missouri WWII vet, or know someone who is? Reply to this email and tell us their story.