Don't forget - this weekend will be a very special one, with the unveiling of a long-awaited memorial to the US troops stationed in a west Dorset town before being sent on the D-Day landings.

A permanent memorial will be unveiled at the gardens at Mountfield, Bridport, during a weekend of special commemorative events.

Saturday will see the unveiling of the memorial to the US Army personnel stationed in the town during the Second World War.

It was at that time that the 16th Infantry and other American personnel were based in the town. In recognition of their contribution to the war effort and the local community, 75 years on from the Normandy landings, an historic 48-star American flag will fly over the unveiling of a memorial in the gardens of Mountfield, Rax Lane, at 3.30pm.

The mayor will be joined by representatives of the 16th Infantry, Dorset’s Lord Lieutenant and High Sheriff, and a representative of the US Embassy, who will reveal the memorial as part of a commemorative service led by Rev Pete Stone, vicar at Bridport Team Ministry.

The event will also feature reminiscences from local people who remember the US presence during the war, a display of photographs and historical information, historical re-enactors and period military vehicles.

The weekend will see two further events marking the US presence in the Bridport area.

Again, on Saturday, at 1pm, an exhibition at West Bay Discovery Centre charting the presence of American GIs based in West Bay will be visited by the ‘First Division’ historical re-enactors, who will also be present at a church parade at St. Mary’s Church, Walditch, on Sunday at 11.15am, again led by Rev Pete Stone.

Bridport Town Council is urging the community to be part of the event.

It has issued an appeal for local people to come forward with memories of the US soldiers’ presence in the town.

Town clerk Will Austin said: “This is a great opportunity to capture stories and photographs from that time for posterity. We know that some warm friendships were formed and we’d love to hear more about the Americans’ time here, from local people who remember them.”

Anyone wanting to help can contact Linda Bullock at the town council on 01308 456722 or email enquiries@bridport-tc.gov.uk.