Event
80th Anniversary D-Day Salute
Join us for a special event honoring the momentous victory of D-Day 80 years ago with live performances, a new exhibition opening and more.
Event Date
Sat., June 8 | 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Join us for a special event honoring the momentous victory of D-Day 80 years ago
This Event Features:
Performances from the 282D Army Jazz Band
Performances from ColaJazz Foundation
Opening of the new exhibition, Shared Sacrifice: South Carolina in World War II
A special, exclusive live planetarium show, D-Day and the Moon*
Meet program partners from Palmetto Animals Assisted Life Services (PAALS), Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum, the South Carolina Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum, and the Anne Frank Center at USC.
Food available for purchase from the Crescent Café by The Food Academy, as well as local food trucks: Lobster Dogs and Cosmic Empanadas.
And more.
*Please note: Planetarium shows are an additional charge.
General Admission
Veterans, Active Duty Military, National Guard and Reserve + Their Families: FREE
Adult: $13
Senior (Ages 62+): $11
Children (Ages 3-12): $10
Members: FREE
VETERAN & ACTIVE MILITARY TICKETS
Not a member? Click HERE to join today!
Activity Schedule
10 a.m. | Event Kick-Off
- The United States Army Drill Sergeant Academy Color Guard from Fort Jackson
- National Anthem
- Welcome remarks, Dr. Ramon Jackson, Curator of African American History and Culture
- Remarks, Col. David A. Uthlaut, 165th Infantry Brigade commander, Fort Jackson.
10:30 a.m. | Performance by 282D Army Band Jazz Band
10:30 a.m. | Food trucks, Lobster Dogs and Cosmic Empanadas, arrive
11:00 a.m. | Crescent Café by The Food Academy opens
11:30 a.m. | “Reflections of Normandy: Walking in the Footsteps of My Great Uncle,” Heather McPherson, Collections Curator at the South Carolina Military Museum, discusses her commitment to researching, documenting, and retracing her great uncle’s military service on D-Day.
12:00 p.m. | Meet and greet with Dr. Ramon Jackson, discussing our newest exhibition, Shared Sacrifice: South Carolina in World War II.
12:30 p.m. | “Behind the Bookcase with Anne Frank.” Mario Haynes, Artistic Director of the Anne Frank Center at the University of South Carolina will discuss the work and mission principles of the Center and Anne’s point of view in the aftermath of D-Day. Sam Livoti will give voice to Anne through dramatic readings.
1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. | Planetarium show, D-Day and the Moon, highlighting the role of the moon in operations on D-Day.
2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. | ColaJazz Foundation band will play big band-era music and the Palmetto Swing Dance Association will perform.
Event Presenters
Heather McPherson has been the Curator of Collections at the South Carolina Military Museum since 2017. She has created exhibits focused on the Battle of the Bulge, VJ Day, South Carolina Airfields, and many more. Born and raised in the Midlands, Heather takes pride in preserving the memory of South Carolinians who have served. During WWII, two of her great uncles served in the Army and three served in the Navy, while her grandfather served as an Army cook in the Pacific theater. A self-proclaimed aviation nerd, Heather says the most rewarding aspect of her job is uncovering the personal stories within each object at the museum.
Mario Haynes is the Artistic Director at the Anne Frank Center at the University of South Carolina. Mario has a great deal of experience working with the activities and approach from the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, educating various age groups about Anne Frank's story, writing, literacy, and the importance of fighting prejudice and hate today. Mario has a B.A. Theatre from the University of Georgia and an MFA in Acting from Harvard University and also performs/directs regularly around Columbia, SC and the world.
Samantha Livoti is an education specialist for the Anne Frank Center at the University of South Carolina. She graduated from USC in 2023 with a B.A. in English and is an active member of the Junior League of Columbia. Samantha has enjoyed performing in the Columbia community theater scene for the last 10 years.
Shared Sacrifice: South Carolina in World War II
This new exhibition explores the powerful stories of South Carolina men and women who contributed to the war abroad and at home.
Blue Star Museums
The museum is proud to be part of the Blue Star Museums initiative, a national appreciation program to thank our military families for their service this summer, from May 18 - Sept. 2, 2024!
