SAINTE-MÈRE-ÉGLISE, France – The history of the small French town of Picauville close to Sainte-Mère-Église was captivated by a walking tour led by French locals in an event to tell the story of the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82th Airborne Division during World War II, June 3, 2019.
Approximately 60 Service members from the 101st Airborne Division, 90th Sustainment Brigade and locals from the community attended the march led by U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Eugene J. LeBoeuf, commanding general for the 79th Theater Sustainment Command.
“Picauville was one of the first towns liberated from Nazi control after D-Day,” said LeBoeuf. “This evening we are here to honor the men who liberated and served Picauville. We have men and women who currently serve and represent the 82nd Airborne Division, 90th Sustainment Brigade and 101st Airborne Division that were responsible for that liberation.”
Service members had the opportunity to delve into history during the memorable walking tour in the Normandy region, known for the D-Day Allied invasion in 1944, and the drop zone areas within Picauville as well as the successful ambush led by the 82nd Airborne Division.
“We marched around the battlefield where the drop zones were on June 5th and 6th of D-Day and were told stories of the Soldiers who fought here,” said Pfc. Samuel Eggen, 101st Airborne Division. “I enjoyed this quite a lot, this is my first time in France experiencing something like this with the locals and reenactors which brings this whole event into a great culmination that I won’t forget for a long time.”
The memories of those who fought and liberated the town are being preserved through the shared knowledge of the historical sites within the town of Picauville and by celebrating the continued U.S. presence in Europe as a bedrock of America’s commitment to our allied and partners, stated Leboeuf.
“Thank you to the people of Picauville, It is a great honor to be here and represent the Americans who fought in WWII,” said LeBoeuf. “Thank you for your hospitality, kindness and commitment to always remember the events that took place here.”
More than 1,300 U.S. service members, partnered with 950 troops from across Europe and Canada, have converged in northwestern France to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Operation Overlord, the WWII Allied invasion of Normandy, commonly known as D-Day. Upwards of 80 ceremonies in 40 French communities in the region will take place between June 1-9, 2019, the apex being held June 6th at the Normandy American Cemetery located in Coleville sur Mer.