Veterans honored at D-Day anniversary ceremony at state house
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) – Elected officials, veterans, and their families gave their thanks today to those who served in WW II, on the 75th anniversary of D–Day.
“On June 6, 1944, 4,414 men died, so that freedom would not,” said Representative Samuel Azzinaro.
On that fateful day in 1944, thousands of Americans fought and died in a battle that would soon turn the tide of the war in the Allies’ favor.
“I can’t even imagine what was going through these gentleman’s minds as they were crammed into a boat or into a plane, waiting for those doors to open, not sure what would face them on the other side,” said State Treasurer Seth Magaziner. “You can just think about how different our world would be if they hadn’t done what they did.”
More than a thousand Rhode Islanders died fighting in World War II, 99 of them in that battle 75 years ago, who are buried at Normandy.
“It always makes you cry,” said Veteran Joseph Joel, who fought at the Battle of the Bulge. “Saw all those young kids getting off the boats, and being slaughtered as they – and drowned. It’s sad.”
Officials tolled the bell 99 times at the ceremony today in their memory.
“I would go so far to say that we are all your children and grandchildren, as you saved the world,” said Brigadier General Arthur Floru of the RI National Guard. “And it’s our job to guarantee that memory lives on forever.”
©WLNE-TV / ABC6 2019
