As approximately 150 American veterans who took part in the D-Day Invasion mark the 80th anniversary in Normandy, France, many will remember the courage and sacrifice of those soldiers in Door and Kewaunee counties. A part of the larger Operation Overlord, the invasion of Normandy saw nearly 160,000 Allied troops land on the beach on June 6th, 1944, 73,000 of which hailed from the United States. According to the Military Times, more than 4,400 Allied troops died on D-Day, including over 2,500 Americans. Around 7,000 ships and boats were a part of the invasion, including the PC-1261. Built in Sturgeon Bay, Sam Perlman of the Door County Maritime Museum says it was the first ship that sank on that day, and it remains one of the important stories they continue to tell.

Another one of those ships that participated in the invasion was Tug Major Wilbur Fr. Browder, which today is known as the Tug Ludington moored in Kewaunee Harbor. Speaking last month, Tug Ludington Commitee Jim Schaller says it has been well worth the money for the city to purchase it and offer free tours to visitors.

The Tug Ludington will center the City of Kewaunee’s D-Day Remembrance event on June 8th at 10 a.m. The event, which coincides with the Spring Door Peninsula Lighthouse Festival orchestrated by the Door County Maritime Museum, will also feature a wreath laying at the tug, military vehicle displays, and a ceremony featuring members of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.