ST. JOSEPH, Mich. — June marks the beginning of busy season on Michigan's beaches. It also marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day, which will be remembered on one of Michigan's beaches soon.
A Benton Harbor organization called Lest We Forget will stage battles on the shores of Tiscornia Beach on Saturday, June 22.
The event is free to the public, and WWII veterans and their families will have reserved VIP seating. Lest We Forget says the event was funded through grants and donations because they simply want to educate the community on the nation's history.
The action begins at 9 a.m. Music will be provided by the Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra while German High Command will do a parachute flag drop and inspection of the grounds. Planes will fly overhead and drop simulated bombs provided by Lance Hazen and the Great Lakes Effects Co. team.
Higgins Boats, Landing Vehicle Tracked (LVT-2 Buffalos) and a DUKW will carry reenactors onto the beach. A military historian will explain the action to viewers and provide historical facts.
Previous productions were focused on World Wars I & II, Korea, Vietnam, the United States Navy, Women in Service and the Cold War. Next year, they plan to highlight Desert Storm, the Balkan Wars, Afghanistan and Iraq. Financial donations to help with their mission are appreciated, organizers say.
After the reenactment, there will be flamethrower demonstrations and WWII stories shared.
Starting at 1 p.m., the Battle of Saipan will begin on Tiscornia shores. Just like the battle actually was, viewers can watch an amphibious assault by United States soldiers against Japan.
No vehicles will be allowed in the beach parking lot. You're asked to follow signs to area parking lots and ride one of the free shuttle buses. Handicap parking will be on Momany Drive. Motorcycles, bikes and walkers can go directly to the beach.
WWII vets or their family can reserve VIP seats by calling 269-429-2098.
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