I recall speaking with a congresswoman in the White House who had just returned from the 70th Anniversary of the Normandy invasion.
As we commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day Invasion, the heroic actions of those who served provide invaluable lessons for today’s youth and businesses striving to build a better future. D-Day, June 6, 1944, marked a pivotal moment in World War II when Allied forces launched a massive invasion of Normandy, France, to liberate Europe from Nazi occupation. Among the many lessons, two stand out: The importance of our youth in committing to serve a cause greater than themselves, and businesses that value the strategic importance of our national defense by encouraging military service and hiring veterans, which ultimately benefits their organizations and supports our democracy.
Army Engineers At Normandy
I recall speaking with a congresswoman in the White House who had just returned from the 70th Anniversary of the Normandy invasion. She asked, “Why were there so many headstones of engineer soldiers in Colleville Cemetery at Normandy?” At the time, I was the Chief of Engineers and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. I explained the extremely dangerous tasks carried out by combat engineers. These units worked at the forefront of the assault, often in open areas which exposed them to intense enemy fire. During the Normandy landings, the 1st Engineer Battalion led assault forces by clearing extensive enemy mines, barbed wire, and anti-tank obstacles. These soldiers and all other service members at Normandy demonstrated extreme courage and selfless service.
The 1st Engineer Battalion
Reflecting on historical events reveals crucial insights. Colonel William “Bill” Gara led the 1st Engineer Battalion during D-Day and through May of 1945. As a young officer, I had the remarkable opportunity to lead the 1st Engineer Battalion, the oldest and most decorated engineer battalion in the U.S. Army. In the headquarters building of the 1st Engineer Battalion, Fort Riley, Kansas, displayed in the hallway are photos of each of the battalion’s past commanders. Each time I walked through that hallway as the commander of the battalion, I would stop at Bill Gara’s photo and think about all that the battalion had accomplished during WWII. I also thought about Bill’s age because he looked so young. I invited Bill to speak at our 1st Engineer Battalion Dinner event, and I asked Bill how old he was at Normandy. He said, “Well, we fought in North Africa, Sicily, Normandy, and the Battle of the Bulge.
