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Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Warriors of yesterday, today commemorate D-Day together | Article | The United States Army


Paying respects

John Perozzi, a D-Day veteran who served with the 82nd Airborne Division, returned to Normandy, France, this year for the 68th anniversary commemorations and to visit his fallen buddies at the Normandy American Cemetery, overlooking Omaha beach.
  • John Perozzi, a D-Day veteran who served with the 82nd Airborne Division, returned to Normandy, France, this year for the 68th anniversary commemorations and to visit his fallen buddies at the Normandy American Cemetery, overlooking Omaha beach.
  • Secretary of the Army John McHugh speaks to WWII veterans June 3, 2012, including John Perrozi (shaking McHugh's hand), who was an 82nd Airborne Division paratrooper on D-Day. Perozzi received France's highest military medal, the Légion d'Honneur, later in the day during the D-Day commemoration event near Sainte Mere Eglise, France. Thousands of spectators joined veterans to observe the multi-national airborne operation honoring Allied paratroopers who participated in D-Day and went on to liberate Sainte Mere Eglise.
  • A U.S. Army paratrooper who jumped into the marshes west of Saint Mere Eglise, June 3, 2012, shakes hands with World War II veterans who fought there during the D-Day invasion.
  • Charles Rivkin, U.S. ambassador to France, meets with John Roman, a D-Day veteran, and his wife Jacqueline, during the June 3, 2012, commemorations in Normandy, France. Rivkin jumped into the nearby drop zone with the U.S. Army's Golden Knights.
  • Capt. Brett Baker, U.S. Army Civil Affairs & Psychological Operations Command (Airborne), pins on U.S. jump wings onto allied forces during a wing exchange on La Fiere during a ceremony in honor of World War II and D-Day events, June 3, 2012. Task Force 68, which is made up of paratroopers from U.S., Germany, France, Holland, and United Kingdom, re-enacted the D-Day airborne operation on the La Fiere fields near Ste. Mere Eglise, France, to commemorate the heroic acts of the World War II paratroopers who made the jump 68 years ago. After the jump, the task force marched into the town of Ste. Mere Eglise to the sounds of cheers from the locals. Task Force 68 is in Normandy, France, to commemorate the 68th anniversary of D-Day.
  • To commemorate the 68th anniversary of D-Day U.S. Special Operation Forces conducted a military free fall near Mont Saint-Michel, one of Normandy, France's most historic attractions, June 2, 2012.
  • Secretary of the Army John McHugh shares a laugh with World War II veteran Ellan Levitsky-Orkin, 92, during D-Day commemoration events near Sainte Mere Eglise, France, June 3, 2012. Seated behind McHugh is Levitsky-Orkin's sister, Dorothy Levitsky-Sinner, 95. Both sisters joined the Army during World War II and were among the first contingent of U.S. Army nurses who went directly from the U.S. to France.
  • U.S. Army paratroopers beside the "Iron Mike" statue near the La Fière Bridge battlefield, west of Saint Mere Eglise, France.
  • World War II and D-Day veteran, John Perozzi, 82nd Airborne Division, talks with active duty 82nd Abn. Div. Ssoldiers after a ceremony that commemorated the La Fiere, Ste. Mere Eglise, World War II and D-Day events, June 3, 2012. Task Force 68, which is made up of paratroopers from U.S., Germany, France, Holland, and United Kingdom, re-enacted the D-Day airborne operation on the La Fiere fields near Ste. Mere Eglise, France to commemorate the heroic acts of the WWII paratroopers who made the jump 68 years ago. After the jump, the task force marched into the town of Ste. Mere Eglise to the sounds of cheers from the locals. Task Force 68 is in Normandy, France, to commemorate the 68th anniversary of D-Day.
  • Secretary of the Army John McHugh lays a wreath at the memorial at Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, France, June 3, 2012. The Normandy American Cemetery is one of 14 permanent American World War II military cemeteries on foreign soil, and is operated by the American Battle Monuments Commission.
  • Paratroopers exchange German jump wings at La Fiere drop zone after completing an airborne operation commemorating the D-Day and World War II events, June 3, 2012. Task Force 68, which is made up of paratroopers from U.S., Germany, France, Holland, and United Kingdom, re-enacted the D-Day airborne operation on the La Fiere fields near Ste. Mere Eglise, France to commemorate the heroic acts of the WWII paratroopers who made the jump 68 years ago. After the jump, the task force marched into the town of Ste. Mere Eglise to the sounds of cheers from the locals. Task Force 68 is in Normandy, France, to commemorate the 68th anniversary of D-Day.
  • Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling, commander of U.S. Army Europe, shares a laugh with Duane Pinkston, a World War II veteran, during the June 3, 2012, D-Day commemorations in France.
  • Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Jacobs, U.S. Army Civil Affiars & Psychological Operations Command (Airborne) commanding general, shakes hands with World War II and D-Day veteran, John Perozzi, 82nd Airborne Division, after a ceremony honoring him and other World War II veterans, June 3, 2012. Task Force 68, which is made up of paratroopers from U.S., Germany, France, Holland, and United Kingdom, re-enacted the D-Day airborne operation on the La Fiere fields near Ste. Mere Eglise, France to commemorate the heroic acts of the WWII paratroopers who made the jump 68 years ago. After the jump, the task force marched into the town of Ste. Mere Eglise to the sounds of cheers from the locals. Task Force 68 is in Normandy, France, to commemorate the 68th anniversary of D-Day.
  • Task Force 68, which is made up of paratroopers from U.S., Germany, France, Holland, and United Kingdom, re-enacted the D-Day airborne operation on the La Fiere fields near Ste. Mere Eglise, France, to commemorate the heroic acts of the World War II paratroopers who made the jump 68 years ago. After the jump, the task force marched into the town of Ste. Mere Eglise to the sounds of cheers from the locals. Task Force 68 is in Normandy, France, to commemorate the 68th anniversary of D-Day.
  • John Perozzi, a D-Day veteran who served with the 82nd Airborne Division, returned to Normandy, France, this year for the 68th anniversary commemorations and to visit his fallen buddies at the Normandy American Cemetery, overlooking Omaha beach.
  • Secretary of the Army John McHugh speaks to WWII veterans June 3, 2012, including John Perrozi (shaking McHugh's hand), who was an 82nd Airborne Division paratrooper on D-Day. Perozzi received France's highest military medal, the Légion d'Honneur, later in the day during the D-Day commemoration event near Sainte Mere Eglise, France. Thousands of spectators joined veterans to observe the multi-national airborne operation honoring Allied paratroopers who participated in D-Day and went on to liberate Sainte Mere Eglise.
  • A U.S. Army paratrooper who jumped into the marshes west of Saint Mere Eglise, June 3, 2012, shakes hands with World War II veterans who fought there during the D-Day invasion.
  • Charles Rivkin, U.S. ambassador to France, meets with John Roman, a D-Day veteran, and his wife Jacqueline, during the June 3, 2012, commemorations in Normandy, France. Rivkin jumped into the nearby drop zone with the U.S. Army's Golden Knights.
  • Capt. Brett Baker, U.S. Army Civil Affairs & Psychological Operations Command (Airborne), pins on U.S. jump wings onto allied forces during a wing exchange on La Fiere during a ceremony in honor of World War II and D-Day events, June 3, 2012. Task Force 68, which is made up of paratroopers from U.S., Germany, France, Holland, and United Kingdom, re-enacted the D-Day airborne operation on the La Fiere fields near Ste. Mere Eglise, France, to commemorate the heroic acts of the World War II paratroopers who made the jump 68 years ago. After the jump, the task force marched into the town of Ste. Mere Eglise to the sounds of cheers from the locals. Task Force 68 is in Normandy, France, to commemorate the 68th anniversary of D-Day.
  • To commemorate the 68th anniversary of D-Day U.S. Special Operation Forces conducted a military free fall near Mont Saint-Michel, one of Normandy, France's most historic attractions, June 2, 2012.
  • Secretary of the Army John McHugh shares a laugh with World War II veteran Ellan Levitsky-Orkin, 92, during D-Day commemoration events near Sainte Mere Eglise, France, June 3, 2012. Seated behind McHugh is Levitsky-Orkin's sister, Dorothy Levitsky-Sinner, 95. Both sisters joined the Army during World War II and were among the first contingent of U.S. Army nurses who went directly from the U.S. to France.
  • U.S. Army paratroopers beside the "Iron Mike" statue near the La Fière Bridge battlefield, west of Saint Mere Eglise, France.
  • World War II and D-Day veteran, John Perozzi, 82nd Airborne Division, talks with active duty 82nd Abn. Div. Ssoldiers after a ceremony that commemorated the La Fiere, Ste. Mere Eglise, World War II and D-Day events, June 3, 2012. Task Force 68, which is made up of paratroopers from U.S., Germany, France, Holland, and United Kingdom, re-enacted the D-Day airborne operation on the La Fiere fields near Ste. Mere Eglise, France to commemorate the heroic acts of the WWII paratroopers who made the jump 68 years ago. After the jump, the task force marched into the town of Ste. Mere Eglise to the sounds of cheers from the locals. Task Force 68 is in Normandy, France, to commemorate the 68th anniversary of D-Day.
  • Secretary of the Army John McHugh lays a wreath at the memorial at Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, France, June 3, 2012. The Normandy American Cemetery is one of 14 permanent American World War II military cemeteries on foreign soil, and is operated by the American Battle Monuments Commission.
  • Paratroopers exchange German jump wings at La Fiere drop zone after completing an airborne operation commemorating the D-Day and World War II events, June 3, 2012. Task Force 68, which is made up of paratroopers from U.S., Germany, France, Holland, and United Kingdom, re-enacted the D-Day airborne operation on the La Fiere fields near Ste. Mere Eglise, France to commemorate the heroic acts of the WWII paratroopers who made the jump 68 years ago. After the jump, the task force marched into the town of Ste. Mere Eglise to the sounds of cheers from the locals. Task Force 68 is in Normandy, France, to commemorate the 68th anniversary of D-Day.
  • Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling, commander of U.S. Army Europe, shares a laugh with Duane Pinkston, a World War II veteran, during the June 3, 2012, D-Day commemorations in France.
  • Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Jacobs, U.S. Army Civil Affiars & Psychological Operations Command (Airborne) commanding general, shakes hands with World War II and D-Day veteran, John Perozzi, 82nd Airborne Division, after a ceremony honoring him and other World War II veterans, June 3, 2012. Task Force 68, which is made up of paratroopers from U.S., Germany, France, Holland, and United Kingdom, re-enacted the D-Day airborne operation on the La Fiere fields near Ste. Mere Eglise, France to commemorate the heroic acts of the WWII paratroopers who made the jump 68 years ago. After the jump, the task force marched into the town of Ste. Mere Eglise to the sounds of cheers from the locals. Task Force 68 is in Normandy, France, to commemorate the 68th anniversary of D-Day.
  • Task Force 68, which is made up of paratroopers from U.S., Germany, France, Holland, and United Kingdom, re-enacted the D-Day airborne operation on the La Fiere fields near Ste. Mere Eglise, France, to commemorate the heroic acts of the World War II paratroopers who made the jump 68 years ago. After the jump, the task force marched into the town of Ste. Mere Eglise to the sounds of cheers from the locals. Task Force 68 is in Normandy, France, to commemorate the 68th anniversary of D-Day.
  • John Perozzi, a D-Day veteran who served with the 82nd Airborne Division, returned to Normandy, France, this year for the 68th anniversary commemorations and to visit his fallen buddies at the Normandy American Cemetery, overlooking Omaha beach.
  • Secretary of the Army John McHugh speaks to WWII veterans June 3, 2012, including John Perrozi (shaking McHugh's hand), who was an 82nd Airborne Division paratrooper on D-Day. Perozzi received France's highest military medal, the Légion d'Honneur, later in the day during the D-Day commemoration event near Sainte Mere Eglise, France. Thousands of spectators joined veterans to observe the multi-national airborne operation honoring Allied paratroopers who participated in D-Day and went on to liberate Sainte Mere Eglise.
  • A U.S. Army paratrooper who jumped into the marshes west of Saint Mere Eglise, June 3, 2012, shakes hands with World War II veterans who fought there during the D-Day invasion.
  • Charles Rivkin, U.S. ambassador to France, meets with John Roman, a D-Day veteran, and his wife Jacqueline, during the June 3, 2012, commemorations in Normandy, France. Rivkin jumped into the nearby drop zone with the U.S. Army's Golden Knights.
  • Capt. Brett Baker, U.S. Army Civil Affairs & Psychological Operations Command (Airborne), pins on U.S. jump wings onto allied forces during a wing exchange on La Fiere during a ceremony in honor of World War II and D-Day events, June 3, 2012. Task Force 68, which is made up of paratroopers from U.S., Germany, France, Holland, and United Kingdom, re-enacted the D-Day airborne operation on the La Fiere fields near Ste. Mere Eglise, France, to commemorate the heroic acts of the World War II paratroopers who made the jump 68 years ago. After the jump, the task force marched into the town of Ste. Mere Eglise to the sounds of cheers from the locals. Task Force 68 is in Normandy, France, to commemorate the 68th anniversary of D-Day.
  • To commemorate the 68th anniversary of D-Day U.S. Special Operation Forces conducted a military free fall near Mont Saint-Michel, one of Normandy, France's most historic attractions, June 2, 2012.
  • Secretary of the Army John McHugh shares a laugh with World War II veteran Ellan Levitsky-Orkin, 92, during D-Day commemoration events near Sainte Mere Eglise, France, June 3, 2012. Seated behind McHugh is Levitsky-Orkin's sister, Dorothy Levitsky-Sinner, 95. Both sisters joined the Army during World War II and were among the first contingent of U.S. Army nurses who went directly from the U.S. to France.
  • U.S. Army paratroopers beside the "Iron Mike" statue near the La Fière Bridge battlefield, west of Saint Mere Eglise, France.
  • World War II and D-Day veteran, John Perozzi, 82nd Airborne Division, talks with active duty 82nd Abn. Div. Ssoldiers after a ceremony that commemorated the La Fiere, Ste. Mere Eglise, World War II and D-Day events, June 3, 2012. Task Force 68, which is made up of paratroopers from U.S., Germany, France, Holland, and United Kingdom, re-enacted the D-Day airborne operation on the La Fiere fields near Ste. Mere Eglise, France to commemorate the heroic acts of the WWII paratroopers who made the jump 68 years ago. After the jump, the task force marched into the town of Ste. Mere Eglise to the sounds of cheers from the locals. Task Force 68 is in Normandy, France, to commemorate the 68th anniversary of D-Day.
  • Secretary of the Army John McHugh lays a wreath at the memorial at Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, France, June 3, 2012. The Normandy American Cemetery is one of 14 permanent American World War II military cemeteries on foreign soil, and is operated by the American Battle Monuments Commission.
  • Paratroopers exchange German jump wings at La Fiere drop zone after completing an airborne operation commemorating the D-Day and World War II events, June 3, 2012. Task Force 68, which is made up of paratroopers from U.S., Germany, France, Holland, and United Kingdom, re-enacted the D-Day airborne operation on the La Fiere fields near Ste. Mere Eglise, France to commemorate the heroic acts of the WWII paratroopers who made the jump 68 years ago. After the jump, the task force marched into the town of Ste. Mere Eglise to the sounds of cheers from the locals. Task Force 68 is in Normandy, France, to commemorate the 68th anniversary of D-Day.
  • Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling, commander of U.S. Army Europe, shares a laugh with Duane Pinkston, a World War II veteran, during the June 3, 2012, D-Day commemorations in France.
  • Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Jacobs, U.S. Army Civil Affiars & Psychological Operations Command (Airborne) commanding general, shakes hands with World War II and D-Day veteran, John Perozzi, 82nd Airborne Division, after a ceremony honoring him and other World War II veterans, June 3, 2012. Task Force 68, which is made up of paratroopers from U.S., Germany, France, Holland, and United Kingdom, re-enacted the D-Day airborne operation on the La Fiere fields near Ste. Mere Eglise, France to commemorate the heroic acts of the WWII paratroopers who made the jump 68 years ago. After the jump, the task force marched into the town of Ste. Mere Eglise to the sounds of cheers from the locals. Task Force 68 is in Normandy, France, to commemorate the 68th anniversary of D-Day.
  • Task Force 68, which is made up of paratroopers from U.S., Germany, France, Holland, and United Kingdom, re-enacted the D-Day airborne operation on the La Fiere fields near Ste. Mere Eglise, France, to commemorate the heroic acts of the World War II paratroopers who made the jump 68 years ago. After the jump, the task force marched into the town of Ste. Mere Eglise to the sounds of cheers from the locals. Task Force 68 is in Normandy, France, to commemorate the 68th anniversary of D-Day.
SAINTE-MERE-EGLISE, France (June 6, 2012) -- When Eugene Cook jumped into Normandy during the predawn hours of June 6, 1944, he landed several miles from his intended drop zone.

Alone in the dark French countryside, the young 101st Airborne Division paratrooper from Georgia assembled his rifle, got his bearings and began looking for other Americans among Normandy's hedgerows. In the days and weeks that followed, Cook took part in the now famous battles that began the liberation of France and led to Allied victory over Nazi Germany.

Cook, 87, was among the handful of World War II veterans who attended the 68th anniversary of the D-Day landings this week. U.S. service members from all the military branches took part in honoring them, something Cook said he was glad to see.

"We have to commemorate the lives of the guys we left here," Cook said. "They gave their lives for us and we should show them thanks."
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