Thursday, June 06
Paris, France
D-Day with Democrats Abroad
D-Day with Democrats Abroad
UPDATED MARCH 25: WE HAVE ADDED A 2ND BUS IN RESPONSE TO POPULAR DEMAND. MERCI!
On June 6, 1944, Allied forces launched the largest amphibious invasion in the history of warfare. “D-Day”, or Operation 'Overlord', would see Allied landings on the beaches of Normandy — launching the start of a long, costly, but ultimately successful fight to liberate north-west Europe from Nazi occupation.
This year June 6, 2024 marks the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Landings and the Battle of Normandy, with official observance events taking place near the landing beaches. The DA France Veterans & Military Families Caucus, Diversity Caucus, and DA Normandy and Paris Chapters invite you to join us in honoring the occasion.
As in years past, we are arranging a bus to take a delegation of Democrats Abroad from Paris to attend the bi-national Normandy American Cemetery ceremony in Colleville-sur-Mer, returning to Paris later that same day. Please note that this year due to heightened security and anticipated volumes of visitors, many details are still being confirmed. There may also be changes by the event organizers as the date draws near — including cancellations related to security, or policy changes by the ABMC. Those participating should understand the need to be patient and very flexible, and we will do our best to keep everyone informed and up-to-date, as we observe this remarkable moment in history together.
To participate as a member of Democrats Abroad's delegation to the official ceremony of the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings on June 6th, 2024 please:
- Fill out this form for yourself and up to three guests to request official invitations as a part of our group.
- Purchase tickets for the bus for yourself and each of your guests, on this page, below (see button PURCHASE TICKETS and indicate the number of guests in addition to yourself).
Form information will be shared with the American Battle Monument Commission as required, and with those responsible for security and event coordination. Completing the form does not guarantee an invitation, but it does request an official invitation as a member of our group. The deadline to complete this form for you and your guests is end of day March 29th.
By providing information and buying tickets for yourself and your guests, you agree to the following:
- Democrats Abroad France is renting two buses, including toilet facilities, to take participants from Paris to the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, normally a 3hr+ drive under uncongested conditions. We will depart very early in the morning of June 6th, to return to Paris later the same day. Exact times are still unknown but departure may be 5A as in years past, or possibly as early as 2A (!). Arrival and departure times will be subject to local conditions and guidance given by the event organizers (ABMC and French security).
- Participation in our delegation is limited to DA France members and our guests. Space on the bus will be filled on a first-come-first-served basis. Only those with an official invitation and a paid seat will be allowed to board the bus.
- Due to heightened security and the scale of the event this year, full details are not yet available. All participants should anticipate changes — including possibly up to or on the day of the event. Flexibility and a spirit of adventure are encouraged. (If you have somewhere else to also be on June 6, this may not be the excursion for you!)
- It is expected that our bus will stop at a hub to undergo security checks, and then will proceed onward as instructed by convoy with a police escort to the ceremony site.
- Plan to bring a packed breakfast, lunch, and snack for the bus trip to Normandy. Food and drink are not permitted at the ceremony sites, however water and energy bars may be available for purchase. The return leg back to Paris may also include a stop at a restaurant, any costs incurred will be on the part of each participant and is not included in the 70 USD bus ticket price. We will provide updates as the date draws near.
- The cost of a round-trip bus ticket is 70 USD per person. Please note that for non-US citizen guests that a US citizen participant must make the payment on behalf of the non-citizen participant. If the organizers of the ceremony cancel the event for any reason 10 days or more before the event, full refunds will be possible; within 10 days of the event, full refunds will not be possible. (We will do our best to avoid such costs to you and ourselves, but it is a risk.) Should DA France cancel the bus 10 days or more before the event, full refunds will be possible. Otherwise refunds will not be available.
- Data Privacy Notice: Your information provided in the form will be shared as is needed with the American Battle Monuments Commission, a branch of the United States government, and with their other organizing partners, for security purposes including background checks in issuing official invitations and coordinating those who wish to participate. By signing up, you understand that your name and other personal information including the fact that you are a Democrat will be shared with the organizers of this ceremony for this purpose, and that neither Democrats Abroad nor Democrats Abroad France will have any control over their use of your data once provided.
Questions? Please write to: [email protected].
Democratically yours,
The Veterans and Military Families Caucus
The Diversity Caucus
The Normandy Chapter
and The Paris Chapter
of DA France
WHEN
Thursday, June 06, 2024 at 02:00 AM Paris Time
WHERE
Meeting Point in Paris, TBD, to go to Colleville-sur-Mer, Normandy
Paris, IDF
France
Google map and directions
CONTACT
D-Day 80 Organizing Committee
[email protected]