Photos: Now in their late 90s, a handful of WWII veterans attend 79th commemoration of D-Day
The National WWII Museum in New Orleans commemorated the 79th anniversary of D-Day and also the opening of the museum itself 23 years ago during the 2023 Dr. Hal Baumgarten D-Day Commemoration ceremony on Tuesday(June 6).
Stephen J. Watson, Museum President & CEO, also announced the upcoming opening of the new Liberation Pavilion and the dedication of the Col. Battle Barksdale Parade Ground. Liberation Pavilion will help fulfill a key part of the Museum’s mission—what World War II means today—by exploring the end of the war, the Holocaust, the immediate postwar years and the war’s continuing impact on our own lives.
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Andrea Pizza, left, Chloe Johnson, center, and Hannah Rachel, right, all performers with the The National World War II Museum's Victory Belles, take turns hugging and kissing World War II veteran Eddie Lewis Tresch Sr., 95, of Slidell, during the 79th anniversary commemoration of D-Day on Tuesday, June 6, 2023. (Photo by Chris Granger | The Times-Picayune | NOLA.com)
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The new Liberation Pavillion, back center, rises beyond the window at The National WWII Museum in New Orleans as people gather inside the U.S. Freedom Pavillion during a commemoration of the 79th anniversary of D-Day on Tuesday, June 6, 2023. (Photo by Chris Granger | The Times-Picayune | NOLA.com)
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World War II veteran's Eddie Lewis Tresch Sr., 95, left, and Cyril Nelson, 102, right, share war stories during the 79th anniversary commemoration of D-Day during a ceremony at The National World War II Museum in New Orleans on Tuesday, June 6, 2023. (Photo by Chris Granger | The Times-Picayune | NOLA.com)
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Medal of Honor recipient David Bellavia talks about the sacrifices made by all veterans of all wars at The National World War II Museum's 79th anniversary of D-Day commemoration in New Orleans on Tuesday, June 6, 2023. (Photo by Chris Granger | The Times-Picayune | NOLA.com)
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Members of the St. Augustine High Marching 100 walk through the U.S. Freedom Pavillion during The National WWII Museum's commemoration of the 79th anniversary of D-Day on Tuesday, June 6, 2023. It was also the New Orleans museum's 23rd birthday. A special announcement was also made about the opening of the Liberation Pavillion. (Photo by Chris Granger | The Times-Picayune | NOLA.com)
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Stephen Watson, left, president and CEO of The National World War II Museum, chats with World War II veterans Robert Lowry, 96, center, and Melvin Munch, 96, right, during the 79th anniversary of D-Day. A commemoration ceremony was held at the New Orleans on Tuesday, June 6, 2023. (Photo by Chris Granger | The Times-Picayune | NOLA.com)
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World War II veteran Cyril Nelson, 102, right, talks with Victory Belle performer Hannah Rachel during a 79th anniversary commemoration of D-Day at The National World War II Museum in New Orleans on Tuesday, June 6, 2023. (Photo by Chris Granger | The Times-Picayune | NOLA.com)
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Presentation of Colors by the USMC Color Guard at The National World War II Museum's 79th anniversary commemoration ceremony of D-Day on Tuesday, June 6, 2023 in New Orleans. (Photo by Chris Granger | The Times-Picayune | NOLA.com)
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Old film showing soldiers storming the beaches of Normandy at the 79th anniversary commemoration of D-Day during a ceremony at The National World War II Museum in New Orleans on Tuesday, June 6, 2023. (Photo by Chris Granger | The Times-Picayune | NOLA.com)
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Rashawn Price stands at attention holding the American flag as he and other members of the St. Augustine High Marching 100 perform at the National WWII Museum's commemoration of the 79th anniversary of D-Day on Tuesday, June 6, 2023. It was also the New Orleans museum's 23rd birthday. A special announcement was also made about the opening of Liberation Pavillion. (Photo by Chris Granger | The Times-Picayune | NOLA.com)
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Chloe Johnson, left, Hannah Rachel, center, and Andrea Pizza, left, performers with the The National World War II Museum's Victory Belles, sing at the opening of the 79th anniversary commemoration ceremony of D-Day on Tuesday, June 6, 2023 in New Orleans. (Photo by Chris Granger | The Times-Picayune | NOLA.com)
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Leopold Sher talks about the brave and loving life of World War II veteran Dr. Hal Baumgarten at the National WWII Museum's commemoration of the 79th anniversary of D-Day on Tuesday, June 6, 2023. (Photo by Chris Granger | The Times-Picayune | NOLA.com)