Jun 6, 2025 - News
From New Orleans to Normandy: Honoring Louisiana's WWII heroes
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As the nation remembers D-Day on Friday's 81st anniversary, a dwindling number of World War II veterans remain with us.
- About 300 WWII vets are still living in Louisiana, according to the latest figures from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The big picture: About 16.4 million Americans served in WWII, but only about 66,100 were still living as of September 2024, per the VA's projections.
- "We have the enormous responsibility to ensure that the memories and experiences of the war will not be lost as those who lived through it leave this world," said Stephen J. Watson, president and CEO of the National WWII Museum in New Orleans, in a statement.
Zoom out: The museum is welcoming back WWII veterans as part of its commemoration events.
- It had an overnight display Thursday with 2,510 candle luminaria to honor the Americans who died on D-Day.
- At 6:30am Friday, there's a remembrance gathering to mark the moment the invasion of Normandy began.
- About 25 WWII veterans and Holocaust survivors will open the museum at 8:50am Friday to a hero's welcome. The main ceremony, which is also free, starts at 11am.
- Full list of events.
Meanwhile, it's also the museum's 25th anniversary.
- The venue opened in 2000 as The National D-Day Museum.
- It was housed in a single exhibition hall and dedicated to telling the stories of the Americans who participated in the amphibious invasion.
- Today, the museum spans seven pavilions and has immersive exhibits and an expansive collection of artifacts.
Fun fact: The Higgins boats used on D-Day were designed and built in New Orleans. Fewer than 10 original boats remain in existence.
- President Dwight D. Eisenhower called Andrew Higgins "the man who won the war for us" thanks to his namesake landing craft.
