By Ashley Brugnone, CMP Writer
TALLADEGA, Ala. – The annual John C. Garand D-Day event, held June 6-9, 2019, at the Civilian Marksmanship Program’s (CMP) Talladega Marksmanship Park in Alabama, will stray from its usual format to celebrate history not only through marksmanship competition but also through fanfare and fun.
The event will honor the 75th anniversary of the Allied Forces landing at Normandy Beach in France back in 1944 through a series of vintage rifle and pistol competitions, along with breathtaking flyovers each day by WWII LT-6 and PT-19A fighter trainers from the Dixie Wing of the Commemorative Air Force out of Peachtree, Ga. Authentic ground vehicles, such as the M3A1 Halftrack and 1943 Stuart M5A1 Light Tank, as well as other static displays will also be presented to visitors of the park throughout the event.
A special D-Day commemorative ceremony on the opening day of festivities will welcome guests while honoring those who sacrificed everything three-quarters of a century ago. Whether competing, watching or just taking a look around, all are welcome at Talladega Marksmanship Park.
Rifle matches featured on the D-Day schedule include two days of Garand-Springfield-Modern (GSM) and Vintage Military competitions. A GSM New Shooter clinic will be held on the opening day of events, which briefs participants on the competition and allows them to engage in live fire practice. An M1 Maintenance Clinic and Open Practice for all other competitors will also kick off the D-Day event. Carbine and Vintage Sniper events will close out the weekend on Sunday. Read more