History comes to life as Fort Jackson marks 80th anniversary of D-Day
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - Fort Jackson marked the 80th anniversary of D-Day by taking soldiers inside the pivotal World War II battle through artifacts, reenactors, weapons, equipment and iconic images.
On June 6, 1944, Allied forces stormed the beaches of Normandy, changing the course of the war in Europe and helping lead to the defeat of Nazi Germany.
On post at Fort Jackson Thursday, history came to life with one-of-a-kind commemoration.
“Anyone that wears the uniform of the United States right now stands on the shoulders of all those that have come before us,” Fielding Freed, the Fort Jackson archivist who took part in the reenactment, said.
The U.S. Army training center hoped to honor and remember the heroism of the dead and living who took part in that battle.
“For the young soldiers that we’re hoping their experience today is one that they understand some of the equipment and some of the things that the men of D-Day did so that they can potentially apply that same grace under pressure if they ever should encounter it,” Freed said.
Anthony Hadley, an Army soldier who recently went through training, said this showcase reminded him of why he puts on the uniform each day, and made him proud to be an American.
“It’s a huge honor for me as an up-and-coming new soldier to follow in the footsteps of those amazing men and women who did these great sacrifices,” he said. “Many lost their lives on D-Day just so we could have the freedoms that we cherish.”
There were reenactors in authentic uniforms, photographs that capture the moment many young men under that age of 21 stormed ashore and a station remembering the life of Ernie Pyle, a journalist who won the Pulitzer-Prize for firsthand accounts from the war.
Pyle was known to many as “America’s eyewitness to World War II.”
Weapons that the soldiers used on the battlefield were also on display for soldiers.
Among the weapons shown to soldiers was a German bazooka that the Allied forces were up against on D-day, and as they fought further inland during the Normandy campaign.
“To come out here and see these reenactors, see what they went through, to hear these stories about what happened on D-Day, it really brings these stories to life,” Hadley said. “Learning about this in history class, I always knew it was a special day, but being a soldier now and learning and living those values that those soldiers lived, it really brings a new value to that day.”
Capt. Peter O’Neill, company commander with the 13th Infantry Regiment, said he has been reading and learning about this day for years.
“It’s the small acts of heroism that led to eventually the end of the Nazi regime in Germany, and the liberation of Europe,” he said.
O’Neill wanted to join the Army from a young age, and give back to his country.
He said he has a picture of the D-Day invasion hanging in his office, which serves as a constant reminder of the sacrifices so many made for freedom.
“It’s important to know where you come from and it’s important to see where you’re going into the future by knowing that the past will eventually dictate the future,” O’Neill said.
Hadley said all citizens can learn something from D-Day.
“I think we all should remember the reasons behind why we have what we have, and make sure we pay respect to those who have lost their life or sacrificed something to have the freedoms we cherish, and then do whatever your part is,” he said. “If your part’s not serving in the military, find ways to serve in your community and the people around you.”
Fort Jackson plays a special role in the history of this day.
The 4th Infantry Division, which fought in the defining battle, was briefly stationed there before they were put on ships to train for D-Day.
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