For the second year in a row, one Delmar resident is seeking to commemorate survivors of an historic day in World War II history that is sometimes overlooked in today’s remembrances. Frank DeSorbo, 64, is once again seeking out veterans of the invasion of Europe on D-Day, June 6, 1944. His event, called “A Day of Recognition and Remembrance” will honor those who were on the beach of Normandy, France 64 years ago. “People do a lot for the Pearl Harbor survivors, but no one ever does anything for the boys who stormed the beaches,” said DeSorbo. “I thought someone should.” Although DeSorbo was never in the military, two of his brothers were. From a young age DeSorbo said he had been interested in what it was like for men to head off to war and enter battle. He was also “subconsciously” always interested in Operation Overlord, the invasion that would pave the way for the Allied victory over Germany. DeSorbo said the idea for an observance day first came in 2005 when we was visiting the former D-Day museum in New Orleans, now called the National WWII Museum. He was taking a self-guided tour when he came across a man in his 80s also looking at the exhibits. “He was a survivor of Normandy, front line combat. I asked him what today was and told him it was D-Day. He said no one had had mentioned it to him all day except for me,” said DeSorbo. The two men went out to dinner and developed a relationship over the years. “I told him I wanted to start something so people would remember, and he kidded that I wouldn’t actually do anything,” DeSorbo said. The idea continued to weigh on him after realizing year after year the media provided little coverage for such a historic anniversary. Finally, he decided to act. DeSorbo said finding veterans to participate has been a challenge. According to a statistical estimate on mortality rates by the Department of Veterans Affairs, about 740 WWII veterans die each day, and of the nearly 16 million who served just 1.7 million are alive today. By working with the New York State Military Museum and Veterans Research Center in Saratoga Springs, DeSorbo gathered a list of known local survivors. He also contacted local veterans organizations in more that a 60-mile radius to help with his search to find D-Day survivors. In all, 30 D-Day veterans were found to participate in the event held last year at the Holiday Inn Express in Latham, where they all received a plaque in honor of their service. In all, 275 people attended the ceremony, where a speech was given by retired Maj. Gen. Joseph Taluto of Schenectady. “These guys knew what they what they were going to be confronted with on that day unlike many other soldiers, and it’s an important date,” said DeSorbo. This year, Desorbo has already found more D-Day veterans than last year to attend the ceremony with the number at 44 and growing. The event will be in a bigger room and Congressman Chris Gibson will be the keynote speaker, along with guest speakers from the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Anyone who has interest in attending is welcome to do so with reservations. DeSorbo now writes a D-Day newsletter three times a year for D-Day Revisited members at $25 per household. All D-Day survivors can get the newsletter free of charge. “The amazement and embarrassment of many is displayed when they don’t know what D-Day stands for, what happened on D-Day, or when it was,” writes DeSorbo on why he began his efforts. “Many, including myself, did not know the exact military explanation of D-Day.” DeSorbo said his goal is to not only honor the veterans he finds, but to also pass on knowledge about the event and first-hand accounts to younger generations. The local D-Day Revisited group is now working with the National D-Day Memorial Foundation in Bedford, Va. to compile a national database of D-Day veterans with profiles written about the survivors. “I think as time goes on, the stories don’t get told and they are forgotten about,” he said. “These people are not going to be around too much longer and its not just the military stories, but their life’s stories as well that should be told. I do it because who else is doing it? To attend the event, or if you know a D-Day veteran, contact Frank DeSorbo by calling 439-9265 or by email at [email protected].