As America marks the 82nd anniversary of D-Day on Saturday, a group of women whose wartime labor helped sustain the Allied war effort gathered in New Orleans to remember a generation that is rapidly disappearing.More than 30 surviving "Rosie the Riveters" gathered at The National WWII Museum in New Orleans, where they were honored for helping power the wartime industrial effort that supported Allied forces during World War II."Every day, memories of World War II — its sights and sounds, its terrors and triumphs — disappear," according to The National WWII Museum's site.The women were recognized during the Museum's annual Dr.Hal Baumgarten D-Day Commemoration and as recipients of the institution's 2026 American Spirit Award, the Museum's highest honor.NETFLIX FILM TELLS TRUE STORY OF ONLY PREDOMINANTLY BLACK AND FEMALE ARMY BATTALION TO SERVE DURING WWIIThe National WWII Museum is seen in New Orleans.
The museum hosted its annual D-Day commemoration and honored more than 30 surviving "Rosie the Riveters" during events marking the 82nd anniversary of the Allied invasion of Normandy.(Courtesy of The National WWII Museum)According to the museum, the award recognizes individuals and organizations who "exemplify the outstanding qualities of the American spirit and inspire these values in others."This year's recipients included more than 30 women wartime workers popularly known as "Rosie the Riveters," acclaimed composer John Williams and former New Orleans Saints player and ALS advocate Steve Gleason.The gathering came as Americans marked the anniversary of Operation Overlord, the Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied France on June 6, 1944.REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK: REMEMBERING COURAGE ON THE 81ST ANNIVERSARY OF D-DAY"Rosies" pose in front of the Statue of Freedom in Emancipation Hall at the U.S.
Capitol before a Congressional Gold Medal ceremony on April 10, 2024, in Washington, D.C.Over two dozen women traveled from across the country to receive the medal for their World...