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D-Day documentary popular at Carnegie Science Center | TribLIVE.com
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D-Day documentary popular at Carnegie Science Center

Phillip Poupore
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This archived photo is used in a scene from 'D-Day: Normandy 1944,' a large-scale documentary narrated by Tom Brokaw. The film was shown at the Carnegie Science Center's Omnimax theater June 6, 2016, the 72nd anniversary of D-Day.
ptrDDayFilm1060716
This still shows a scene from 'D-Day: Normandy 1944,' a large-scale documentary narrated by Tom Brokaw. The film was shown at the Carnegie Science Center's Omnimax theater June 6, 2016, the 72nd anniversary of D-Day.
ptrDDayFilm4060716
This archived photo is used in a scene from 'D-Day: Normandy 1944,' a large-scale documentary narrated by Tom Brokaw. The film was shown at the Carnegie Science Center's Omnimax theater June 6, 2016, the 72nd anniversary of D-Day.
ptrDDayFilm2060716
This still shows a scene from 'D-Day: Normandy 1944,' a large-scale documentary narrated by Tom Brokaw. The film was shown at the Carnegie Science Center's Omnimax theater June 6, 2016, the 72nd anniversary of D-Day.
ptrDDayFilm3060716
This still shows a scene from 'D-Day: Normandy 1944,' a large-scale documentary narrated by Tom Brokaw. The film was shown at the Carnegie Science Center's Omnimax theater June 6, 2016, the 72nd anniversary of D-Day.

J. Randolph Burnham was one month and a day old when D-Day happened on June 6, 1944.

On the 72nd anniversary of D-Day, Burnham stopped by the Carnegie Science Center on Monday to watch an Omnimax showing of “D-Day: Normandy 1944,” a large-format documentary released in 2014 and narrated by Tom Brokaw.

“It's important to appreciate that the last war most of the population of the country was in favor of was WWII,” Burnham, 72, of Westport, Conn., said. “It's a wonderful reminder that the price of liberty is eternal vigilance.”

Burnham's friend John Hooper is fascinated by what it took to succeed in such a large-scale invasion.

“I like seeing the whole scope of it,” said Hooper, 75, of Downtown. “It's amazing to think how so many people were able to cooperate to get things done.”

Todd DePastino, executive director of the nonprofit Veterans Breakfast Club, said it's important for organizations like the science center to host events that spotlight veterans and their contributions.

“It's so important to keep retelling these events that seem like such a long time ago to remind us that there are people around today who were there,” he said.

DePastino said the Veterans Breakfast Club attended a showing of the 40-minute documentary at the science center last year on Veteran's Day.

Susan Zimecki, a science center spokeswoman, said more than 100 veterans, family members and visitors attended the showing last year, including 10 veterans who fought in WWII. One veteran fought in the D-Day invasion. After viewing the film, the group enjoyed a breakfast and the veterans shared stories.

“It was extremely moving because 10 individuals who saw the movie related to it in his or her own way,” Zimecki said.

She said the documentary was supposed to end its run at the science center earlier this year, but because of its popularity, the center decided to offer it until Sept. 3.

For those interested in seeing the film, visit carnegiesciencecenter.org/omnimax and click on the film's name for dates and showtimes or call 412-237-3400.

Phillip Poupore is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 412-320-7820 or ppoupore@tribweb.com.