Normandy: A Day That Changed the World

Join us for an unforgettable in-person event as we dive into the incredible story of Normandy — a day that truly changed history! Whether you're a history buff or just curious, come explore the events, heroes, and unforgettable moments that shaped the world. Don't miss out on this engaging experience!

Our panelists include:

Wilbur D. Jones, Jr., is a nationally known, award-winning author and military

historian in Wilmington, N. C. A Wilmington native, he grew up there during

World War II, which shaped his life, career, and attitudes.

He is a University of North Carolina history graduate, retired Navy captain, and

former assistant and advance representative to President Gerald Ford. Mr. Jones

writes, lectures, and consults on World War II history and defense issues, and leads

North Carolina WWII history preservation projects. He previously led WWII

battlefield tours to the Pacific, Mediterranean, and Europe.

He has authored or co-authored 20 books, including 8 on World War II, and 2 on

wartime Wilmington and Southeastern North Carolina.

Frank Stritter, professor emeritus at the University of North Carolina at Chapel

Hill. He retired in 2003 after 32 years. He holds an undergraduate degree from St.

Lawrence University, a master’s from Colgate University, and a doctorate in

education from Syracuse University.

Stritter served in the United States Seventh Army in Germany from 1961 to 1963

and the US Army Reserve from 1963 to 1972. He separated from the active reserve

as a captain.

Brigadier General (Retired) Wayne W. Grigsby, Jr., Last assignment was as Division

Commander for the First Infantry Division.  Before that, he commanded the Combined Joint

Task Force–Horn of Africa (CJTF-HoA) for 17 Months.  His prior assignments included

Director of Army Training on the Army’s G-3/5/7 staff, Deputy Commanding General of

Operations for the 1st Armored Division, Director Future Operations Cell, ISAF Joint

Commander in Afghanistan during the surge, Director of the Mission Command Center of

Excellence, and Director of the School of Advanced Military Studies (SAMS) at Fort

Leavenworth.  He also commanded the 3-3 ID Brigade Combat Team during the Surge in

Iraq, Commander 1-26 Infantry in Kosovo, and as a Company Commander of Bravo

Company 3-7 IN during Desert Shield/Desert Storm.  

Since leaving the Army, General Grigsby has served as the Dean of Academics at St. John’s

Military School in Salina, Kansas. He was also an Associate Professor at the Georgia

Military Academy in Milledgeville, Georgia, where he taught History and Homeland

Security, and he also advised Land Forces, United Arab Emirates, on Training and Leader

Development.

General Grigsby received a Master of Strategic Studies from the National Defense

University and a Master of Arts and Science from the School of Advanced Military Studies in Kansas. 

He is currently serving as Commander of the Calabash VFW Post 7288 and is President of

the Veterans Creative Arts Program based in Brunswick County, NC.

For questions, contact Gerald Decker [email protected] or 910-408-1934

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