U.S. Soldiers in France for D-Day events
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 Spc. Stebel Buissereth places flags near the headstones at the Normandy American Cemetery in preparation for the 60th Anniversary of D-Day.
USAREUR photo
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NORMANDY, France (Army News Service, June 5, 2004) -- About 3,500 Soldiers and U.S. Army employees are now in Normandy supporting the 60th anniversary of "Operation Overlord."
Task Force Normandy-60 ranges from medics who are standing by to treat any World War II veterans who may experience health problems to military police and their dogs who are providing security.
Signal soldiers have established a communications network. Aviators are flying helicopters to transport VIPs. Military journalists are covering the events, as well as escorting the 3,500-plus media expected to attend.
The U.S. Army Europe Honor Guard will fire a 21-howitzer salute in honor of the president during Sunday's ceremony.
A large number of Soldiers, about 700, are from the 69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade from Giebelstadt, Hanau and Ansbach, Germany. They are responsible for supporting the Normandy American Cemetery event, the ceremony at Pointe Du Hoc and the one at the U.S. National Cemetery at Utah Beach.
"You feel the values of the Army here," said Spc. Stebel Buissereth from the 5th Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery, part of the 69th ADA Brigade. "You can understand how hard it was for the Soldiers who fought here - and how important it is for us to work hard to honor them."
Buissereth spent the morning of May 29 placing flags beside the ivory crosses and Stars of David in the cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach. As they are every year in preparation for Memorial Day and the anniversary of the D-Day invasion, the graves of each of the 9,387 service members buried in Normandy American Cemetery were marked with both U.S. and French flags.
The U.S. Army Southern European Task Force from Vicenza, Italy, has about 900 Soldiers in Normandy. They are responsible for the St. Mere-Eglise air drop event.
The 200th Materiel Management Command from Kaiserslautern, Germany, is operating two Life Support Areas, or LSAs, each supporting about 1,500 Soldiers. One is at Omaha Beach and the other is at Utah Beach. The 200th MMC is augmented by the 21st Theater Support Command, also from Kaiserslautern.
The 565th Engineer Battalion from Hanau, Germany, is responsible for the Joint Visitor Bureau and the unit has about 350 personnel at the site.
Most of the World War II veterans at the JVB and elsewhere in Normandy are very humble, according to the Soldiers who are supporting them.
Though these veterans have been acclaimed as members of the "Greatest Generation" and credited with saving the world from the horrors of facism, Buissereth said they don't stop to impress the young troops with stories from history books.
"The vets, when they talk to you, they want to know about you," he said, adding that the veterans only shared stories of their exploits after considerable prodding from the active-duty Soldiers.
The Soldiers in Task Force Normandy-60 are commanded by Maj. Gen. David T. Zabecki, USAREUR deputy chief of staff for Mobilization and Reserve Affairs. Other units attached to the task force include: 1-214th Aviation Battalion from Mannheim, Germany; the 212th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital from Miesau, Germany, augmented by the 464th Medical Detachment (Dental), the 71st Medical Detachment (Preventive Medicine) and the 64th Medical Detachment (Veterinary Service), providing veterinary support to the military working dogs.
The 44th Signal Battalion from Mannheim, Germany, is part of the task force, along with MPs from various locations across Europe.
The USAREUR Band and Chorus from Schwetzingen, Germany, is in Normandy to take part in the ceremonies, alsong with the 76th Army Band (V Corps) from Mannheim, Germany. The 21st Theater Support Command Salute Battery from Kaiserslautern, Germany, will also salute World War II veterans, along with the 529th MP Company Salute Battery from Heidelberg, Germany.
(Editor's note: Information taken from an article by Hugh C. McBride, USAREUR, and fact sheets provided by Maj. William Thurmond, V Corps Public Affairs.) |
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