Julia Kelly bears a tribal flag at the Charles Shay memorial ceremony on June 5, 2019. Dommnique Washington, 7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment Native American WWII veteran Charles Shay reflects at the shores of Omaha Beach, France, on June 5, 2019. Dommnique Washington, 7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachmentįlags representing all Native American tribes are held at the Charles Shay memorial ceremony at Omaha Beach, France, on June 5, 2019. Nakasone, commander of United States Cyber Command and friends on June 5, 2019.

Native American WWII veteran Charles Shay reflects at the shores of Omaha Beach, France, alongside General Paul M. Nakasone, commander of United States Cyber Command, WWII veteran Charles Shay at the Charles Shay memorial ceremony on June 5, 2019. Dommnique Washington, 7th Mobile Public Affairs DetachmentĪgiina Podlasek, a Chicago native from the Lac Oreilles Ojibwe tribe holds a bowl of tobbaco which will be used at the Charles Shay memorial ceremony at Omaha Beach, France on June 5, 2019. Dommnique Washington, 7th Mobile Public Affairs DetachmentĬharles Shay, a Penobscot tribal elder, writer, and decorated veteran of World War II, speaks at the Charles Shay memorial Ceremony at Omaha Beach, France on June 5, 2019. Nakasone, commander of United States Cyber Command, escorts WWII veteran Charles Shay to the Charles Shay memorial ceremony at Omaha Beach, France on June 5, 2019. Below, see photos from the event, courtesy of DOD DVIDS (Defense Video Imagery Distribution System).įlags representing all Native American tribes are held at the Charles Shay memorial ceremony at Omaha Beach, France on June 5, 2019. On June 5, a ceremony took place in honor of Charles Shay, a veteran from the Penobscot Nation who took part in Operation Overlord on D-Day. service members, partnered with with 950 troops from across Europe and Canada converged in northwestern France earlier this month to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Operation Overlord, the WWII Allied Invasion of Normandy, commonly known as D-Day. To this day, it remains one of the most solemn events I have ever attended and a truly unique experience I will always remember.Ĭharles Shay Memorial Ceremony | D-Day at 75 I had the great privilege of attending D-Day’s 60th anniversary ceremony in Normandy, where I met veterans who valiantly fought in the battle.

Even 75 years later, we are still fervently committed to preserving and advancing democracy. D-Day underscores the importance of maintaining healthy relationships with our most loyal allies. While Americans composed the largest portion of D-Day forces, it’s important to acknowledge that Operation Overlord would not have been possible without the help of our British, French and Canadian friends. Instead, they quickly moved forward despite heavy casualties, attacking concrete pillboxes, machine gun nests, radar stations and bridges. They refused to complacently sit behind the seawalls and dunes or hide in the marshes. Operation Overlord would not have succeeded without the courage of the junior officers, infantry and airborne forces who stormed the beaches and dropped behind enemy lines. Ingeniously, Allied forces capitalized on German mistakes. Had he listened to his generals, the outcome could’ve been much different. Hitler’s indecisiveness and arrogance ultimately helped the Allies claim victory. Eisenhower prepared two messages prior to the operation’s commencement-one celebrating victory and another acknowledging defeat. In fact, Supreme Commander Allied Expeditionary Force and future President Dwight D. There were approximately 10,000 Allied casualties in the first 24 hours-including an estimated 6,603 Americans.ĭespite the meticulous planning and the amount of resources allocated to D-Day, it was by no means a guaranteed success. The mission required 5,333 ships and watercraft and nearly 11,000 airplanes.Īs complex as the logistics were behind the assault, its execution proved even more difficult. In one night and day, 175,000 men and 50,000 vehicles were transported across 60-100 miles of open water. Video by DVIDS:: Charles Shay Remembrance Speech | D-Day at 75

D day remembrance 75th