American Legion Adds Statutes in Normandy

Eighty years after the historic D-Day landings, the American Legion unveiled a second “Statue of Liberation” in Sainte-Mère-Église, the first French town freed from Nazi occupation by Allied forces on June 6, 1944. The new monument, dedicated for the 80th anniversary of the invasion in June 2024, honors Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, the Supreme Allied Commander Europe who bore the weight of responsibility for the pivotal World War II invasion. American Legion National Commander Daniel J. Seehafer presided over the ceremony, emphasizing Eisenhower’s enduring legacy of courage, decisiveness, and accountability.

Speaking to a crowd that included members of the Eisenhower family, military leaders such as current Supreme Allied Commander Europe Gen. Christopher Cavoli, elected officials, and Normandy residents, Seehafer lauded Eisenhower’s selfless leadership. “He put the cause ahead of himself – and epitomized what we, in The American Legion, mean when we talk about servant leadership,” Seehafer stated. He expressed hope that future generations would learn from Eisenhower’s example of making tough decisions and serving causes greater than oneself.

The statue dedication follows the unveiling in 2022 of the first Statue of Liberation, which honored Brig. Gen. Theodore Roosevelt Jr., a founding leader of the American Legion. Roosevelt Jr., the oldest officer to storm the beaches of Normandy on D-Day, posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions on Utah Beach. Both bronze statues, sculpted by Pablo Eduardo of Gloucester, Mass., incorporate metals collected from the World War II battlefields of Normandy, symbolically linking the past with the present. The American Legion spearheaded the project in collaboration with French and American partner organizations.

Eisenhower’s monument features a tableau depicting his leadership in the moments before he issued the order to launch Operation Overlord, history’s largest amphibious assault. His iconic quote, “The eyes of the world are upon you,” is inscribed at the top of the display. Military historian Keith Nightingale highlighted Eisenhower’s humanity as a key attribute of his leadership, noting his deep understanding of the immense sacrifice demanded of the troops under his command.

Eisenhower’s granddaughter, author Susan Eisenhower, shared a poignant anecdote about a note he wrote the night before D-Day, accepting full responsibility in the event of failure. She emphasized the stories of individual courage and devotion to duty that defined the era. Caroline de Carvalho, Eisenhower’s great-granddaughter, remarked on his ability to unify diverse Allied military and political leaders towards a common strategic goal, a testament to his exceptional leadership.

The American Legion’s dedication of these two statues in Sainte-Mère-Église underscores the enduring importance of remembering the sacrifices and leadership that secured the liberation of Europe. By honoring both a frontline hero like Roosevelt Jr. and the strategic mastermind Eisenhower, these monuments serve as powerful educational tools for visitors, ensuring that the lessons of World War II and the qualities of true leadership continue to inspire generations to come.