Airmen honor heroes of the past

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Amber Bressler
  • 435th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
NORMANDY, France --  "You can see what America has sacrificed for another country by walking through the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial," said Staff Sgt. Mark Benavidez, 86th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. "It means a lot to me to visit those who fought and died to liberate this country." 

This is just one Airman's opinion of the many who visited the beaches of Normandy June 3 to Sunday. 

A series of ceremonies and celebrations took place in France to commemorate those who lost their lives 64 years ago during the Normandy invasion, commonly known as D-day. 

Airmen from the 37th Airlift Squadron did fly-bys over ceremonies and memorials throughout the week. 

"I felt re-blued and a sense of pride as we did the fly-bys," said Maj. Brian Choate, 37th AS, C-130 pilot. "I want to make our predecessors proud and live up to the expectations of our forefathers." 

Many of the World War II veterans visit their comrades every year around the anniversary of D-day. 

"It was pretty overwhelming while we were all there," said Capt. Matt Wunderlich, 37th AS, C-130 pilot. "They still remember exactly what happened so many years ago. Some were 10 years old when it happened and they came up to us and thanked us for the sacrifice of our grandfathers." 

The biggest ceremony for D-day commemorations was at the "Iron Mike" monument located four kilometers west of Sainte-Mère-Eglise. 

U.S., French and German paratroopers joined together and filled the sky Saturday.
"It was an incredible experience to jump in the same place as our men did so long ago," said Col. Kevin Ross, 86th Contingency Response Group commander. "The jump was absolutely fantastic. I'll never forget it." 

Sainte-Mère-Eglise was this first town to be captured on the dawn of June 7, 1944.
After the jump, all of the paratroopers marched in formation through the streets and had a celebration as a sign of peace, unity and liberation. 

"Since 1961 I have come back to visit my comrades every year; they are like my second family," said Robert M. Murphy, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment during WWII. "The people of Normandy have never forgotten their liberation. We are free and no one will ever take that away from us again."