On 6 June 1944 – ‘D–Day‘ – Allied forces launched the largest amphibious invasion in the history of warfare. Codenamed Operation ‘Overlord’, the Allied landings on the beaches of Normandy marked the start of a long and costly campaign to liberate north-west Europe from Nazi occupation.
A command team led by American General Dwight D. Eisenhower was formed in December 1943 to plan the naval, air and land operations. Deception campaigns were developed to draw German attention – and strength – away from Normandy. To build up resources for the invasion, British factories increased production and in the first half of 1944 approximately 9 million tons of supplies and equipment crossed the Atlantic from North America to Britain. A substantial Canadian force had been building up in Britain since December 1939 and over 1.4 million American servicemen arrived during 1943 and 1944 to take part in the landings.
Learn more about D-Day and World War II by clicking here.
One central Illinois native will be helping to re-create the Invasion of Normandy on this 75th Anniversary. Learn more about Tim Guinan here.
If you are a veteran or know a veteran who needs assistance, please contact an office near you. These offices are staffed by Veteran Service Officers (VSO’s), fellow veterans who are experts on federal, state and local veteran resources. They are trained and accredited by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to provide free assistance to veterans and their dependents and survivors. This includes not only applying for federal and state benefits but also providing resources related to the following:
- Compensation and Pension
- Health Care
- Education & Training
- Employment
- Burial & Survivor
- Housing
- Permits
- Transportation
- Military Records
- And more
Bond County
Bond County Health Dept.
1520 S. 4th St., Greenville, IL. 62246
VSO: Ed Barnes, Ph: (618) 664-1442
Hours of Operation: 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM 2nd, 3rd, & 4th Wed. of the Month
Clinton County
Clinton County Senior Center
630 8th St., Carlyle, IL. 62231
VSO: Rebecca Miller, Ph: (618) 594-2321
Hours of Operation: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM 2nd & 4th Wednesday of the month
Effingham County
County Building
101 N. 4th St., Room 203, Effingham, IL. 62401
VSO: Josh Layton, Ph: (217) 342-8493
Hours of Operation: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday
Marion County
Salem Professional Building
600 E. Main Street (Veterans Blvd.), Salem, IL. 62881
VSO: Rebecca Miller, Ph: (618) 548-6929
(BY APPOINTMENT ONLY)
Hours of Operation: 8:00 AM-4:30 PM Monday, Tues., Wed., & Friday
Closed every Thursday & the 2nd & 4th Wednesday of the month