Veterans Day Ceremony Melissa Andersens Introduction Last November, Morgan and I applied for the Albert H.

Smalls Normandy Institute. Knowing that the only 15 student-teacher teams would be chosen from across the nation, we didnt want to get our hopes up. It seemed like we waited for an eternity before we heard anything back. Before leaving for Winter Break, we got the call that we were chosen as one of the teams to partake in this once in a lifetime opportunity. A year ago, we had no idea what a lasting impact the experience would have on us and now, we both feel forever changed by it.

For six months, we researched WWII history, with particular emphasis on D-Day. In that time we read 6 books cover to cover simultaneously, while participating in online discussions with our fellow Normandy Scholars. Through our reading we learned the heavily burden that was placed on Eisenhowers shoulders, as the Supreme Allied Commander. We gained insight on what life was like for civilian and soldier alike. We investigated various perspectives, from the American, British, Canadian, French and even the German point of view. And we gained knowledge of the training, dedication and objectives that our soldiers endured in their efforts to ensure freedom and liberty.

We were also given the task during our six months of research, to investigate the life of a fallen soldier. This soldier had to have 1) participated in the Normandy Invasion, 2) is buried in the Normandy Cemetery and 3) who was from our home state of California. After looking through the National Archives Military Records and the WWII Registry online, Morgan chose 1LT Roy Eisele of the 303rd Bomb Group. Our research was difficult. We found that Roys Official Military Personnel File was lost in a fire at the National Personnel Records Center, in St. Louis in 1973. Unfortunately, this is the the case for the countless others from the U.S. Army branch of the military who had fought for our country in the years and conflicts prior. Much of our research we gathered from

census records and mission records from the 8th Army Air Force and 303rds Historical Societies.

In June, the 15 student/teacher teams gathered in Washington D.C. for the hands-on component of the institute. During the opening ceremony, we met Mr. Albert H. Small, the founder and donor of the institute. Mr. Small is a WWII vet who stormed Utah Beach on June 6, 1944 and we had the opportunity to met several of his comrades who put their life on the line for our freedom that day and many days to follow. In D.C. we here dormed at George Washington University and participated in 2-a-day lectures from their faculty, from military officers and Defence Department Personnel. We also went to all the war memorials and museums and met a wide range of military veterans from WWII, Korea and Vietnam. We also spend 8 hours in the National Archives to research our fallen soldier.

After our six days in D.C., the Normandy Scholars went to France and visited the many battle sites that we had learned about in our research. Knowing what took place at each site was all so surreal, it was difficult to hold back tears. It was all to easy to visualize what horrors that took place on Omaha & Utah Beach, because we learned what took place there in months prior. On one occasion, we actually got to chance to visit a life-like statue memorial of one of our fellow Scholars fallen soldier, that of Virgil Tangborn, from Minnesota. What shocked many of us was how thankful the French civilians are for our American contributions in WWII. Even some 69.5 years later, one can easily see their appreciation all across the French landscape. It seemed as if every town, every battle site was marked with a memorial, all of which are beautifully maintained with fresh flowers and elaborate tributes. We even saw restaurants with plaques and banners indicating that Americans, their liberators are always welcome. On Utah Beach, I spoke with a French civilian who was 7 years old during the D-Day landings. He kissed my hands in appreciation, not of me but for what our great nation stands for.

Our institute concluded with a trip to the Normandy American Cemetery, in which each of the Normandy Scholars delivered a eulogy graveside to each of their Fallen Soldiers. With a cool and quiet coastal breeze, all 15

eulogies were given and we began to better understand what the word sacrifice truly means.

What Morgan is going to share with you is how 1LT Roy Eisele impacted her life, while also honoring all those took up arms to defend freedom. Before she does that, I wanted to build a background of what our Fallen Soldier did for our country, for every serviceman/woman of our U.S. armed forces has an ever-enduring contribution and sadly, many of their stories are very rarely ever heard. While we did not uncover any specific information about the individual character of Roy Eisele but we can easily understand his sense of character through his contributions. Enlistment records show that Roy Eisele volunteered for service in 1942. He, along with the rest of the 303rd Hells Angels Bomb Group were stationed at Molesworth, England. Eisele flew 37 combat missions, 36 as a Pilot of a B-17 Bomber. Do keep in mind that 25 mission was a milestone for any crewmember. On D-Day, he took part in two combat missions, both in efforts to interrupt enemy communications and maneuvers, in order to give time for the boys on the beaches to obtain their objectives. On D-Day plus 6, Roys crew of 10, were dispatched along with 38 other crews to destroy an Airdrome in Northern France. This particular Airdrome supplied Germany with air support near the invasion area. Plane #42-107049, nicknamed Tangerine, was hit by flak near the bombs bay door, moments before bombs away. Nine, including Eisele, went down with the B-17. One managed to parachute out and later became a POW. In 2005, the small town of Aswar, France fundraised and donated money to honor the Eisele crew at their crashsite with a beautiful bench that lists our American soldiers names who died in efforts to liberate their country.

1LT Roy Eisele was one of many in our American history who risked their lives in the name of Freedom. It is their sacrifice that allows us today to enjoy the many of the freedoms, that we often take for granted. As stated before, Morgan had the opportunity to honor Eisele, graveside in Normandy. As members of the Tri-Community, we also wanted you to share in this experience with us. Morgan . . .