Reflecting on the 75th Anniversary of D-Day
In January 2011, while I was studying in France, some friends and I took a road trip to Normandy. It was still cold and we were practically the only people visiting. Without a crush of tourists, it gave us a lot of time to quietly walk on the beaches and through the cemetery reflecting on what had happened there.
I’ve also been blessed to live near our nation’s capitol, and meet some of the incredible men who were actually there, 75 years ago, at Normandy. It’s hard to imagine what it would have been like, to see so many of your brothers die beside you on the beaches.
To some, these events are so far removed, part of a history book, part of a story of long, long ago.
Meeting the men who impacted the course of history is truly an amazing experience. To take their portraits as they visit their memorial in DC; to hear their stories about what they encountered; to see the emotions come across their faces; to hold their hands or give them a hug and say THANK YOU. It’s not enough, but it’s what I’ve been able to give.
Below, you’ll find photos from both Normandy and Washington, D.C.
Photos from Normandy
On Omaha beach in Jan 2011
Photos from the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.
I’ve been lucky to meet so many men and women who served in WWII when I attended Honor Flight welcomings. The stories I’ve heard are ones that I will be telling my children and grandchildren in the future. Here is one of my favorites. Let me introduce you to a real hero: Herman Zeitchik, a WWII vet who, as a member of the Fourth Infantry, landed at Utah Beach on D-Day, went on to liberate Paris (for which he received the French Legion of Honour), served at the Battle of the Bulge and helped in the liberation of Dachau concentration camp. (You might remember him, too, from this year’s State of the Union address.)
When I met him, his wife, and daughter at the WWII Memorial in 2015, I witnessed a Jewish couple from Brussels who told him, "if it weren't for you, we wouldn't be here." The husband's mother had been in hiding with a Christian family. Her mother took her out of hiding and literally the next day, Nazis raided that house. It was incredible listening to their stories back and forth.
Zeitchik also asked, "You know that movie 'Monuments Men?' I did that." He found caves in France that had gold and paintings and alcohol. Apparently the soldiers were allowed to keep some of the alcohol but nothing else. He was in charge of navigating and he said that Germans would go ahead of them and turn the signs in the wrong direction. They also had the problem of identifying Germans, who spoke perfect English and tried to infiltrate their units. If they came upon a man in an American uniform that they were unsure of, they would ask him easy America trivia, like "Where is Yankee Stadium?"
Herman Zeitchik, a WWII vet who, as a member of the Fourth Infantry, landed at Utah Beach on D-Day, went on to liberate Paris (for which he received the French Legion of Honour), was at the Battle of the Bulge and helped in the liberation of Dachau concentration camp.
Zeitchik received France’s Legion of Honor medal for his service during WWII.
A Jewish couple from Brussels told Zeitchik, "if it weren't for you, we wouldn't be here."
Zeitchik with his wife, Janet, who he still describes as “the love of my life.”
Zeitchik with his wife, Janet, (left) and his daughter, Carol.
The Zeitchik family with former Senator Bob Dole, who frequently attends Honor Flight welcomings at the WWII Memorial. A WWII veteran himself, Senator Dole makes a point to say hi and talk to everyone.