SPRINGFIELD — Brig. Gen. Randall Simmons, assistant adjutant of the Army National Guard of Georgia, will the featured speaker at the Memorial Day Program at the Veterans Park of Effingham County.

Simmons’ ties go back to when he was commander of Springfield’s National Guard Unit, Battery A1/18 Field Artillery. He has been on combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

The Memorial Day program, set May 27 at 6 p.m., will feature a pause to remember the D-Day invasion of France on June 6, 1944. This amphibious invasion was the largest in history and claimed thousands of lives. By July 1, 1944, the numbers were 2,811 killed, 5,665 missing, 79 prisoners and 13,564 wounded, included paratroopers.

The numbers for Effingham servicemen involved in D-Day are deemed incomplete Veterans Park would like additional information regarding this issue. Park records indicate that there were five Effingham servicemen who lost their life in this invasion — John Ulrick  Arnsdorff, Leland Glover, Ralph Helmly, Lewis Boyles and Herbert Ray Fetzer

As is the custom, the Memorial Day program will also note those who have given their lives in combat throughout the history of Effingham County — Revolutionary War (7), Civil War (21), World War I (3), World War II (13), Korean War (4), Vietnam War (10) and Afghanistan and Iraq (2).

 Individuals or family members who are next of kin of any D-Day veteran are encouraged to attend the program and give their name and connection to the veteran to an aide upon their arrival.

If there is a need for assistance to reach the plaza where the program is held, it is available at the site.