Remembering D-Day 80 years later

WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - Thursday, June 6th marks the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day invasion - the largest amphibious invasion in military history. The operation – in which more than 4,000 American and allied troops were killed - established a critical beachhead in Normandy, France and helped liberate Europe from Nazi occupation.

For most Americans, archival footage of D-Day, June 6th, 1944 is our only connection to one of the most important battles of World War II.

Code-named Operation Overlord, some 156,000 American and Allied soldiers landed on the beaches of Normandy, France. They were risking their lives to liberate Europe and end the Nazi occupation.

Eighty years after that day that saved the world, 99-year-old George Sarros still vividly remembers how he felt as he landed on Utah Beach aboard his transport ship, LST-515.

“I know we were worried whether we were going to make it or not, whether we were going to keep the beach there or not.”

Sarros, a native of Chicago, was just 19 years old. When his ship hit the beach at 1pm, his mission as a motor machinist wasto deliver ammo, troops, tanks, ambulances and jeeps in exchange for wounded paratroopers to be brought back to England for medical attention.

“When we hit the beach, we open the doors and lower the ramps, and the ambulance was coming and we were taken. All the guys were loaded. Put them on the tank deck. I don’t know how many wepicked up. We loaded a whole lot. That’s what all the LSTs were doing there.

The D-Day invasion was the largest naval, air and land operation in history. Success didn’t come easy, some 4,000 Allied troops were killed by German soldiers defending the beaches.

“Brother, I really loved the guys. We were all together. We were out for each other.”

For George Sarros, D-Day was a noble cause. At the World War II Memorial in Washington, the words of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt are engraved in granite, “They fight not for the lust of conquest. They fight to end conquest. They fight to liberate.”

“When you stop and think of those who sacrificed their lives and those guys hit the beach and lost 4 or 5,000 lives on a beach, infantry man, we should honor them. And we should have a regular, regular, regular celebration. Yeah, because if it hadn’t been for the generations that I grew up, I don’t know what our nation would have been if we’d have lost the war.”

Forty years ago at Normandy Beach in 1984, George Sarros’ favorite president, Ronald Reagan, paid tribute to those brave soldiers, sailors and marines who put country above self, saying

“You all knew that some things are worth dying for. One’s country is worth dying for, and democracy is worth dying for, because it’s the most deeply honorable form of government ever devised by man.”

During his time overseas, George and the men of LST-515 made 65 cross-channel trips without one sailor killed or wounded. In recognition of his service, the Navy awarded Sarros several honors including the World War II Victory Medal.

White House correspondent Jon Decker asked him this:

“Why were you so lucky, George?”

“I don’t know. I think the Lord was there. I have a great trust for the Lord, and I often think about that.

You know? Why us?”

Two years ago, in recognition of George’s heroism, the French government decorated George Sarros with the Legion of Honor, France’s highest merit. And to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day, he will soon be honored by the government of Greece.

If there is one lament of this true American hero, it is more about this country’s future – rather than our past.

“Well, I’ll tell you, I’m really disappointed in our country now. I think we’re going the wrong way. I don’t see the camaraderie that we had when we were at war today.”

That camaraderie is what helped America defeat tyranny. George Sarros will soon turn 100 and to him, D-Day is a reminder of what our country can achieve when it comes together and is unified in purpose.