Photo: Gen. Christopher Cavoli, commander of U.S. European Command and NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe, and Gen. Christopher Donahue, commanding general of U.S. Army Europe and Africa, lay a wreath at the Normandy American Cemetery. Photo: Regina DeCoster.
COLLEVILLE-SUR-MER, France — Nearly 2,000 people honored the 150,000 Allied troops who landed on D-Day, June 6, 1944, at the Normandy American Cemetery here. Also in attendance were about 30 World War II veterans.
The cemetery, on the bluffs overlooking Omaha Beach, featured an opening speech from Wally King, 101, a former first lieutenant who flew 75 missions over Europe with the 9th Air Force. King said. “I am humbled by the immense sacrifice that surrounds us. These hallowed grounds are evidence of the dedication and unwavering resolve of those who gave their lives in the pursuit of freedom,” he said. “I am forever grateful for the opportunity to contribute in the liberation of Europe. To my fellow World War II veterans, I salute you.”
Also in attendance were U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth; Gen. Christopher Cavoli, commander of U.S. European Command and NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe; Gen. Christopher Donahue, commanding general of U.S. Army Europe and Africa; Adm. Stuart Munsch, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa; and Michael X. Garrett, American Battlefield Monuments Commission chairman.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth meets World War II veteran Dale Larson. Photo: Regina DeCoster.
“It is a sheer privilege to stand in this cemetery among heroes and before God, an incredible monument to the sacrifices American warriors made on the beaches of Normandy. As I stare at that flag, we are forever grateful to the French government for dedicating this land as a resting place for our men,” said Hegseth, who also read Gen. Dwight Eisenhower’s letter to the troops before they invaded Europe.
While our guidebook, the D-Day Visitor’s Handbook, is centered on the 80th anniversary of the invasion, the tens of thousands of visitors clogged highways and all monuments were packed or restricted. The hotels were oversold and expensive. In fact, we recommend going to anniversary dates that aren’t on the “fives” (2025, 2030, etc.).
By attending in “off” years, such as this year’s 81st anniversary, you will get to experience more sites that are less crowded, have less traffic and more options for lodging and dining. Either way, you will be touched by the bravery of those men and women who gave their lives to destroy an evil regime so that the world could be free.
Brave Paratrooper Awarded Distinguished Service Cross
In other D-Day anniversary news, a ceremony in Sainte-Mere-Eglise was held in honor of Staff Sgt. William Owens, who had his Silver Star medal upgraded to the Distinguished Service Cross, the nation’s second-highest award for bravery.
A member of the 82nd Airborne Division, Owens, who died in 1967, also served in invasions of Sicily, the landings at Salerno and Operation Market Garden in Holland. He was awarded the Purple Heart medal with oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star and the original Silver Star for his actions at the La Fiere causeway.
Owens, whose family participated in the ceremony, was honored with the DSC overseen by Gen. Christopher Donahue, commanding general of U.S. Army Europe and Africa and Maj. Gen. Patrick Work, commanding general of 82nd Airborne Division, who both made remarks.
