SPECIAL VETS ONLY: D-day events at Normandy,...

SPECIAL VETS ONLY: D-day events at Normandy, France next Monday include groundbreaking for the Wall of Liberty, near the invasion beaches. It will depict the names of thousands of veterans who served in the World War II European theater. . . . If you know someone who qualifies: The Battle of Normandy Foundation this week has a booth at South Coast Plaza’s Jewel Court to accept applications for wall names. It’ll cost you $40 per name--to help pay for the wall.

BRONZE HEROES: Tom Gillenwater, 67, of Huntington Beach says of his work casting art in bronze (OC Live!, Page 8): “I’m not an expert; that’s my first disclaimer.” . . . Oh really? Last weekend he was awarded the prestigious Phippen Award at the 20th annual Phippen Western Art Show in Prescott, Ariz. . . . It goes for the work that “best exemplifies the spirit of the West.” The piece shows a western grandpa with his two granddaughters. “It was a tribute to my own granddaughters,” he says.

IS SHE PERFECT? They may not know much about Clara Barton in Egypt, but the local American Red Cross says Jehan Sadat has a lot in common with the nursing pioneer. . . . Sadat, widow of slain former Egyptian president Anwar Sadat, has been an outspoken leader of feminist causes there. She’ll speak on June 21 at the Red Cross’s Clara Barton awards luncheon to honor local women of achievement. . . . Says its spokeswoman Judy Iannaccone: “Her dedication to the advancement of women makes Mrs. Sadat a perfect speaker for this event.”

INDOOR SURFING: The promotion for “Endless Summer II” may seem to be endless, but here’s one where you can touch the real thing. Robert Weaver and Pat O’Connell, co-stars of the big screen surfing sequel, which opens Friday, will be at Planet Hollywood in Santa Ana today to donate two of the surfboards they used in the movie. . . . The boards will join other movie memorabilia there, such as some Dorothy shoes from the Wizard of Oz and Terminator’s armor.