06/06/2026
On the early hours of June 6th 1944, paratroopers and glider infantry from the 82nd and 101st Airborne divisions jumped into Normany hours ahead of the beach landings. This was the beginning of the liberation of Europe from N**i tyranny. These young men were willing to sacrifice everything for a place and people they have never met. Many of them never came home. Today we remember and honor them...
Many epic battles were fought over the next few days, weeks and months during the European Campain. All of them at great human cost.
The place where I stand today is where one of the most epic battles the 82nd Airborne has ever fought in its history. For 4 days light infantry airborne and glider units of the 82nd Airborne division fought against heavy mechanized, infantry and artillery units of the German army. When the battle to secure the bridge was over, more than 250 Americans had lost their lives.
If the 82nd had not held the bridge, the landings at Utah Beach would have most likely failed and thousands of Americans would have died trying to establish a beach head. The battle for La Fiere bridge will go down in history as "the bloodiest small unit struggle in the experience of American arms".
Tomorrow we will have the honor to jump at La Fiere bridge DZ to commemorate their sacrife and keep their memories alive.
Lest We Forget...
