Paying Tribute to Service and Sacrifice on the 82nd Anniversary of D-Day

June 6 marked the 82nd anniversary of the D-Day landings along the Normandy coast during World War II. At approximately 6:30 a.m.—the same time as the first wave—members of the Delta team, Normandy Region and Freedom Prize students gathered for a Native American ceremony honoring D-Day veteran Charles Norman Shay, a medic on that fateful day. Shay, who passed away last December, continues to be remembered for the many lives he saved through his service. 

At 11 a.m., veterans were recognized during a ceremony at the Normandy American Cemetery. Established by the U.S. First Army on June 8, 1944, it was the first American cemetery on Western European soil during the war. Today, it is the final resting place for about 9,400 U.S. service members, most of whom died during the D-Day landings and subsequent operations. The Walls of the Missing bear the names of roughly 1,600 individuals whose remains were never recovered. 

The ceremony featured remarks from U.S. and French leaders, including U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. In a poignant moment, 107-year-old Navy D-Day veteran Arthur Rose read a letter he had written before the invasion, reflecting on the uncertainty ahead: “It wasn’t fear and it wasn’t excitement…just a funny feeling—nervousness and expectancy, wondering what was going to happen next.” On June 6, 1944, Rose was positioned offshore at Omaha Beach, commanding a fleet of 36 vessels responsible for delivering critical supplies to Army forces. His leadership ensured the steady flow of ammunition and equipment needed to sustain the fight, exemplifying the vital yet often unseen role of naval logistics. 

Following the commemoration, veterans and students traveled to the town of Carentan, a key objective in the days after D-Day, for a parade and commemoration with citizens and visitors. Located between Utah and Omaha beaches, Carentan was critical to linking the Allied beachheads and establishing a continuous front. The town was liberated on June 12, 1944, after several days of intense fighting led primarily by the U.S. 101st Airborne Division. Some of the veterans present had taken part in these efforts, making the visit especially meaningful as they returned to a place where they once fought. The streets were packed with people, eager to shake hands or even just get a glimpse of those who had helped to liberate their town and country. 

The day concluded with a renewed sense of gratitude and reflection, honoring the courage, sacrifice and enduring legacy of those who helped secure freedom in Normandy.