At Thursday’s memorial to those who stormed Normandy’s beaches 80 years ago, at chance to speak with those who lived that day, and a call to remember what brought us to that point.
The very young and the very old, those who served and those who did not, those family members whose loved ones paid the ultimate sacrifice and those family members who support those serving, gathered Thursday at the Fallen Heroes Memorial to pay tribute to those who carried out Operation Overlord on D-Day in 1944.
Sitting on the front row was Fredericksburg resident Robert Potts; a 102-year-old veteran of World War II who was a private on June 6, 1944, serving in the 29th infantry division as a truck driver on the day of the assault.
Craig Vasey, president of the Sister City Association, was the event’s Master of Ceremonies. His father was also at D-Day. In the speech that set the tone for the evening, he talked about the corruption that led to the Nazi’s rise, then remarked: “Thank god, some people would say, or thank human decency, that many people and countries eventually stood up to this monster and ultimately defeated him.” (Read his full remarks here.)
History, and the importance of remembering history, was a common theme in the evening’s speeches.
“I learned on PBS news hour last night,” Vasey said in his opening remarks, “that less than 50% of English children know what D-Day is, I can only imagine that it’s worse here. For us to allow such ignorance is to allow a threat to freedom to grow.”
Fredericksburg Mayor Kerry Divine spoke about the Sister City program, reminding us that it was President Dwight D. Eisenhower — who was the Allied Supreme Commander on D-Day — who started the program in 1956. Devine recalled the establishment of Fredericksburg’s Sister City arrangement with Frejus sister city in 1980. She also recalled the city’s connection to another famous French person, the Marquid de Lafayette, whose visit to Fredericksburg in 1824 is also being remembered this year.
Delegate Joshua Cole described both the stakes of the D-Day assault, and the more-than year-long advancement from the day that ultimately led to the collapse of the Nazi regime.
Representative Tara Durant spoke, too, of the Sister City program, having twice hosted French students in her home. She also addressed the historical significance of the day. Those soldiers who stormed the beaches at Normandy, she noted, “changed the course of history forever, and we are forever indebted to them.”
The Advance’s Martin Davis also spoke at the event, and you can read his comments here.
The importance of the past and our obligation to remember and teach it was also in the thoughts of those who turned out.
The Bruce family, neighbors of Potts, came to in part to support him. “He is a wonderful neighbor, and incredible to talk to. When you sit down and get to know him and hear some of the stories of World War II, it’s heart-stopping.”
Mackie and Mike Bruce are veterans of the Navy and Army themselves. They urged for reform of local education in order to better teach young people about the outsized impact of world events like D-day and World War II have on us today. “What students need is to hear from people like Mr. Potts.”
For another attendee, to remember is to recall family.
“I had seven aunts and uncles that were in World War II,” said Larry Goldsmith, “one of my uncles was lost in the Normandy Invasion.”
The event was organized by Craig Vasey, president of Fredericksburg’s Sister City Association, as well as the City of Fredericksburg with support from Mayor Kerry Devine and Brenda Martin. Sammy Walker of the city’s parks and recreation department provided the chairs and podium. And finally, the city’s Fire Department provided the Honor Guard.
Both the Star Spangled Banner and La Marseillaise were sung by Ashley Rizzo.
by Sydney Walczak
SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
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