Posted on 06/06/2021 10:32:55 AM PDT by DFG
A 96-year-old former US Army medic was the only veteran to attend two D-Day memorial events in France to mark the 77th anniversary of the historic invasion of Europe.
Charles Shay, a Penobscot Native American, was the sole former combatant at Friday's ceremony in Carentan, where paratroopers landed in the early hours of D-Day, and at a commemoration at the American Cemetery later in the day in Colleville-sur-Mer, on a bluff overseeing Omaha Beach.
The cemetery contains 9,380 graves, most of them for servicemen who lost their lives in the D-Day landings and ensuing operations. Another 1,557 names are inscribed on the Walls of the Missing.
Shay also attended Sunday's opening of the British Normandy Memorial at Ver-sur-Mer, at the eastern end of Gold Beach, which several British veterans were also able to go to.
The Native American, from Indian Island in Maine, now lives in the country he helped liberate from the Nazis aged 19. Most of his fellow brothers in arms have been unable to travel due to Covid travel restrictions.
'We have no visitors coming to France … for two years now,' Shay said. 'And I hope it will be over soon.'
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Thank you for your service, sir.
Well done soldier! Live on in good health and spirits.
God bless Charles Shay, and grant him Many Years!!!!
He looks a lot like my actor buddy, Wes Studi.
I tear up every time I remember my visit to the D-Day Beaches in Normandy back in 2006. I feel so lucky to have been able to go there.
Very proud to see Mr. Shay representing the USA, State of Maine, and the Penobscot tribe. He looks great.
I can’t imagine the things he must have seen and experienced.
Very respectfully,
Mrs AV
God bless him for his service.
We owe so much to those like him, and to those who are no longer here.
The LORD bless you, Sir.
Yes he does!
Amen
That was very touching. Thank you and this Hero.
Wow! What a life! He looks fantastic, too, not anywhere close to 96. Many thanks to US Army medic Charles Shay.
Ditto!
I hope we can honor the sacrifices of all those brave men by keeping this country worth fighting for.
Mrs AV
And can I just say - the man can REPRESENT!! Standing there tall and proud. At 96 years old, so dignified.
All respect to him.
Mrs AV
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