Photo By Staff Sgt. Reece Heck | Lt. Gen. Richard E. Angle, commander of Allied Special Operations Command, provides...... read more read more
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Honoring the Legacy of the Resistance: LTG Angle Pays Tribute at the Normandy French Resistance Memorial
Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, France – In a solemn and stirring ceremony at the Normandy French Resistance Memorial, Lieutenant General Richard E. Angle, Commanding General of Allied Special Operations Forces Command and U.S. Special Operations Command Europe, paid tribute to the brave men and women of the French Resistance whose efforts were vital to the success of the Allied liberation of Europe during World War II.
The event brought together French, American, and Danish dignitaries, veterans' representatives, and local citizens in a powerful act of remembrance. Just a short distance from Utah Beach—where Allied troops stormed ashore on June 6, 1944—the monument stands as a timeless symbol of courage, collaboration, and sacrifice.
Among those in attendance were World War II veterans Harold Radish and Raymond E. Sweeney, whose courage and sacrifice embodied the spirit of the commemoration. Harold served as a reconnaissance sergeant with the 90th Infantry Division, fighting in the Battle of the Bulge and enduring captivity at Stalag 12A after a daring mission behind enemy lines. Raymond served in the Red Ball Express, the vital convoy system supplying Allied forces, and was later taken prisoner while supporting operations across Europe. Both men faced the hardships of war and imprisonment with remarkable resilience, and their presence at the ceremony served as a powerful reminder of the enduring cost of freedom. We thank them for their unwavering courage and commitment.
In his address, Lt. Gen. Angle emphasized the enduring significance of the monument, stating, “This monument is more than bronze and stone. It is a sentinel of memory.”
Far more than a tribute to the past, the memorial serves to educate future generations about the pivotal role played by the French Resistance. In the critical days leading up to and following D-Day, Resistance fighters gathered intelligence, sabotaged enemy communications, and disrupted German troop movements—contributions that proved decisive to the success of the Normandy landings and the broader Allied campaign, including the Provence landings of August 15, 1944.
Their impact was not only operational but moral. The Resistance was a collective stand against tyranny, carried out by ordinary citizens with extraordinary resolve.
The monument also honors the enduring alliance between France and the United States—two nations united by a shared commitment to liberty. It commemorates the 94 Operation Jedburgh teams, composed of members of the British Special Operations Executive, the American Office of Strategic Services, and the Free French Forces. Parachuted into occupied France, these special operations teams helped equip and direct the Maquis, playing a critical role in disrupting enemy forces during the Normandy invasion.
Armed with little more than radios and resolve, the Jedburghs became the vanguard of today’s special forces—embodying the principles of unity, precision, and innovation that remain essential to modern military operations.
As the world commemorates the 81st anniversary of D-Day, Lt. Gen. Angle offered a resounding call to remembrance and action, declaring, “Let us never forget that the flame of freedom was kept alive by those who refused to stand aside. Their legacy is our inheritance. Their fight is our call.”
These words echo across Normandy and through generations, reminding us that freedom is not preserved by ceremony alone, but by a continued commitment to the values it represents.
The Normandy French Resistance Memorial stands not only as a tribute to past heroism, but as a guidepost for the future—a call to resist tyranny, defend liberty, and honor those who fought for both.
“Because this is what courage looks like. This is what sacrifice demands. And this is what freedom requires—still,” said Joseph (Joey) Ivanov, retired U.S. Special Forces officer and founder of the Normandy French Resistance Memorial.
As the world marks the 81st anniversary of the D-Day landings, ceremonies such as this serve as vital reminders: freedom is never won alone. It is secured through shared courage, deep alliances, and the moral will to act in the face of injustice.
The legacy of the Resistance lives on—not just in stone, but in spirit. And that spirit remains a beacon for all who seek a freer, more just world.
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| Date Taken: | 06.05.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 06.11.2025 10:29 |
| Story ID: | 499954 |
| Location: | FR |
| Web Views: | 108 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 81st D-Day Anniversary: French Resistance Monument, by SSG Reece Heck, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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