D-Day in Grafton: June 6 National Memorial of Military Ascent unveiling

A view of the National Memorial of Military Ascent in Grafton. (Photo courtesy of NMMA)

A striking memorial and tribute to the courage, sacrifice and dedication of U.S. military heroes will be unveiled on Grafton’s riverfront on the anniversary of D-Day, June 6. The public is invited to attend.

A ribbon cutting will be held unveiling a monument featuring 12 life-sized bronze statues depicting U.S. Army Rangers climbing the steep limestone bluffs. This memorial recreates the 1944 operation where Rangers scaled a 100-foot cliff at Omaha Beach on D-Day.

The 9:30 a.m. Dedication will include the Leech Lake Ojibwe Honor Guard; Chaplain Warren Gohl; speakers Lieutenant General Jered P. Helwig and Col. (RET) Michael R. Morrow, mayor of Grafton; music by the Mike Buerk Orchestra; and a Williams Family White Doves release. It will be followed by the 10:30 a.m. ribbon cutting.

The event is taking place adjacent to the Grafton Visitor Center at 950 E. Main St. in Grafton.

The project began in 2022 under the leadership of Grafton Mayor Mike Morrow, with the establishment of a Veteran’s Commission which was tasked with establishing and oversight of the Veteran’s Memorial from design through construction.

The National Memorial of Military Ascent is Phase I of the project which is expected to include an immersive museum and Veterans Memorial Plaza alongside the World War II monument. The National Memorial of Military Ascent was funded through over $3 million in donations.