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[Gatti] Sixty-six years ago, Virginia National Guard soldiers were among
the many thousands to storm the beaches of Normandy on D-Day.
Known as Operation Overlord, it was the largest amphibious invasion of all time.
The 29th Infantry Division and the 116th Infantry Regiment
were the only National Guard units to participate in the assault.
To commemorate and honor the sacrifices made on the beaches of Normandy,
Virginia Guard soldiers participated in memorial services
in both Winchester and Bedford, Virginia. The event in Winchester focused on Major Thomas
Howie of Staunton, Virginia, who stormed the beaches of Normandy and was
killed in action July 17, 1944. He later became known as the "Major of Saint
Lo" after an iconic photograph of his flag-draped coffin made newspapers
worldwide. It's very important that we recognize
and keep the memory of what happened on this day alive for our future generations.
[Gatti] The Bedford event, held at the National D-Day Memorial,
included a field chapel service led by Chaplain Eddie Barnett,
29th Infantry Division Chaplain, and readings by community leaders
about the events of D-Day. Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint
Chiefs of Staff, was the keynote speaker. Today's wars do not involve a single day
like the 6th of June or end in victory parades. And yet, like the Bedford Boys, we, our allies,
and our partners must keep moving forward.
[Gatti] Bedford, Virginia, was selected as the site of the D-Day Memorial
because it suffered more losses on D-Day per capita than any other American community.
From Bedford, Virginia, I'm Army Sergeant Terra Gatti.
[♪techno music♪] That's the Army Today, Washington.