­­For Immediate Release: May 31, 2022

Join the City of Alexandria in commemorating the 78th Anniversary of D-Day with two events sponsored by the Alexandria-Caen Sister City Committee. 

Patton and Rommel: The Missing Generals of D-Day

On Thursday, June 2 at 7 p.m. at the Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum (201 S. Washington St.), Dr. Kim Bernard Holien will present a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at D-Day. Did you know that two of the most important figures in D-Day weren’t even at Normandy? Join us for Dr. Holien’s intriguing presentation, “Patton and Rommel: The Missing Generals of D-Day.”

Dr. Holien was a professional historian with the U.S. Army for 34 years, receiving commendations from the late John Marsh, Secretary of the Army, and President Ronald Reagan. He is the recipient of the 2008 Joseph L. Harsh History Award from the Northern Virginia Association of Historians and co-recipient of the 2016 T. Michael Miller Alexandria History Award from the Alexandria Historical Society. His father served as an Army medical officer during the Second World War and took care of many D-Day wounded on their return to England, later serving on President Dwight Eisenhower’s medical staff.

Tickets can be purchased online at alexandriava.gov/Shop to watch the lecture in-person ($15) or virtually ($10).

D-Day Commemoration Program

On Saturday, June 4 from 3 to 6 p.m. in Market Square, join the City for a free commemorative event featuring World War II reenactors with displays, a 1940’s jazz band, swing dancing, the U.S. Army Fife and Drum Corps, a French market, children’s activities, and a ceremony featuring special guests and local elected officials.

Visit alexandriava.gov/Historic for more information about the events.

For inquiries from the news media only, contact Andrea Blackford, Editorial Communications Manager, at andrea.blackford@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.3959.

For reasonable disability accommodation, contact jim.holloway@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.4994, Virginia Relay 711.

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This news release is available at alexandriava.gov/go/3653.