D-Day Fallen: John Schenk

Hello Friends!

As I am sure you have noticed, fall does not necessarily mean that the National D-Day Memorial is not busy with events and school groups. However, we are starting to slow down a bit and are getting excited for one of our favorite events of the year, Flames of Memory and Christmas in Wartime Presentation.

National D-Day Memorial's Flames of Memory and
Christmas in Wartime Presentation

During this event, thousands of luminaries are arranged throughout the Memorial and shine in recognition of Overlord’s fallen and in tribute to the ultimate sacrifice each one of them made to relight the lamp of freedom. This event is not only beautiful, but is such a vivid reminder of the sacrifice of the men on the beaches of Normandy. As twilight deepens and obscures the Blue Ridge, the Memorial will honor the 4,413 men killed on D-Day the nights of December 11-13, 2015 from 6PM-9PM. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.

Luminaries are sold throughout the year and can be purchased in honor of or in memory of a loved one that has served or who is currently serving. Each luminary costs $20, or six for $100, and they can be purchased in honor or memory of anyone who has served in the U.S. Armed Forces, D-Day veteran or not. All proceeds benefit the Memorial and are tax-deductible. Also, group sales are available. If you are interested in purchasing a luminary, visit www.dday.org and click on “GIVING” or  call (540) 586-3329 for more information.

We would also like to extend a very special thanks to the Virginia Moose Association for supporting this worthy endeavor.

One thing we like to do each year leading up to Flames of Memory is to recognize a few of our D-Day fallen in our blog posts.  Today, I want to recognize one of our own from Bedford.

John Burwell Schenk was born in September 1916 in Bedford. He was a student in Business Administration at Virginia Tech and joined the Virginia National Guard on February 3, 1941.

One of my favorite things about John was his relationship with Ivylyn. In 1941, John was set up by a friend on a blind date with Ivylyn Jordan that lasted late into the night. They continued to date after the war began and eventually were married when he was on leave from Camp Blanding, Florida. After he deployed to England to prepare for D-Day, John and Ivylyn wrote letters to each other every day when Schenk was in England.

Just before the Normandy invasion, Ivylyn wrote a letter to John on May 21, 1944. Below is a portion of that letter:

“Although I haven’t written [recently] my heart has been filled with thoughts for and about you. Your letters are so full of hope and brightness for the future. Several have come this week written May 7, 8, 10, and 11^th. They have been like sunbeams on long winter days…”

In their letters, not only did they discuss their love for one another, they talked about the daily events of their lives. After over twenty months of being apart due to the war, the war did not allow them to make it to their two year wedding anniversary.

As a part of the 29th Division, 116th Regiment, Company A, Ssgt. John Schenk landed in the first wave of the assault on Omaha Beach with other young soldiers from Bedford, Virginia. Their objective was to get up to the high-water mark and off the beach. However, many did not make it. John was one of those men who died due to heavy fire as they reached the shore.

On July 17, 1944, his parents received news from the War Department that John was killed in action in France on June 6, 1944. Although the news was not what Ivylyn expected, she lived her life like John would’ve liked for her to as she carried on his memory even though she remarried. He is buried at the American Cemetery at Normandy.

Until Next Time,

Maggie

Veterans Day

Hello Friends!

Here at the National D-Day Memorial we honor those who participated in and pay tribute to those who did not return from the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944 in Normandy, France. While D-Day and World War II are the main focus of our mission, we also strive throughout the year to honor all who have served—past and current—in  the U.S. Armed Forces.   

Roger Neighborgall during WWII

Our annual Veterans Day ceremony will take place on Wednesday, November 11^th at 11AM. We will

take time to honor all who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces during this special event. The program will include special music, guest speakers, and recognition of all veterans. Admission is free 10AM – 12PM. 

 Our keynote speaker for this event is World War II Veteran, Roger Neighborgall. Neighborgall was assigned to the U.S. Army 5^th Ranger Battalion in 1944. He took part in the Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, and Central Europe campaigns and was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Combat Infantry Badge.

This year, we are also excited to have Alex Kershaw again as a special guest speaker—twice in one year, too! He recently released a new book, Avenue of Spies: A True Story of Terror, Espionage, and One American Family's Heroic Resistance in Nazi-Occupied Paris, which is about the untold story of a brave doctor who risked everything to defy Hitler. He has also written several other books about WWII, including The Bedford Boys and The Longest Winter.

Annie J. Bronson Veterans Memorial Walk in the Spring

The latest installment of veteran bricks in the Annie J. Bronson Veterans Memorial Walk, Blue Star Garden, and Gold Star Garden will also be dedicated at this ceremony. These inscribed bricks are a permanent tribute to men and women who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States. These lasting tributes are not limited to service in World War II and can encompass any service period. The placement of each brick is not only an investment in the legacy of a loved one, but also an investment in the future of the Memorial. At a cost of $250 each, the bricks are an affordable way to give permanent veteran recognition at the National D-Day Memorial. Visit https://www.dday.org/support-remember-thier-sacrifice/buy-a-brick-for-a-veteran.html  for more information if you are interested in purchasing a brick. The next dedication of bricks will take place Memorial Day 2016 and will include orders placed now through February 1, 2016.

Special thanks to our generous sponsors for the Veterans Day ceremony, Cintas and Fostek Corporation. 

I hope to see you at the Veterans Day Ceremony if you can make it! 

Maggie

Luminary Project and D-Day Fallon

Hello All!

Veterans Day at the Memorial, 11/11/14

I hope you all have thanked numerous Veterans today! As John F. Kennedy said, “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” I could not agree more with JFK; he is saying that we thank our soldiers for being valiant and courageous, but sometimes forget what that truly entails. Also, we should strive to exhibit the values we hold so dear. As a whole, we all need to remember that we can always do more and put our words into action. Since the holiday season is upon us, it is a great reminder of what we can do for others; a time to show our appreciation properly. There are many ways to get involved with the Memorial and in the community; all you have to do is ask.

Veterans Day Ceremony, 11/11/14

The next event coming up is our Luminary Project, held December 12-14, 2014, 6pm to 9pm. The Luminary Project honors the 4,413 men killed on D-Day. As evening approaches, the flames of memory come alive throughout the site, from the drive leading up to the Memorial, throughout the grounds, and interwoven in the Elmon T. Gray Plaza; each blazing luminary igniting the lamp of freedom.

My first luminary experience was last year, and let me tell you, it was both outstanding and haunting. It is one of those occasions that will put the loss of D-Day into raw perspective. Each light signifying a lost soul for the ultimate sacrifice that helped us win the war for the Allied nations. It is truly a site to see for all ages. I encourage and implore you to join us throughout the weekend; you will not regret one moment here.

Luminary night at the D-Day Memorial

If you would like to get more involved; Lumaries are sold throughout the year, even up to that week, and are displayed from December 12-14. Each luminary costs $20, or six for $100, and they can be purchased in honor or memory of anyone of your choosing, D-Day veteran or not. Remember, all proceeds benefit the Memorial and business or organizations are more than welcome to purchase quantities.

In honor of the Flames of Memory, I would like to share a little bit about one of the Fallon Bedford Boys, Nick Gillaspie.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

D-Day Fallon: Nick N. Gillaspie

Nick N. Gillaspie

Private First Class

Company A, 116^th IRB, 29^th Infantry Division

PFC Nick N. Gillaspie

Nick Gillaspie was another avid Baseball player among the Bedford Boys, along with Frank Draper and Elmere Wright. He grew up with four brothers and went to a one-room schoolhouse. He was known around Bedford for his impeccable manners and kindness, as well as his rook playing skills. His Rook skills came in handy on the Queen Mary’s voyage over to England since the men had a lot of down time on the ship.

Games of any kind were important to the soldiers because it was the only way to pass the time. When they were given the chance to relax, but could not go on leave, many soldiers opt for card games, gambling games, or the book of games devised by the government. Pocket guides and game books were handed out regularly to help the soldiers pass the time and learn about the cultures they would eventually encounter.

Gillaspie is another member of the Bedford Boys we do not know much about, but we do know he was on the same LCA Wallace “Snake Eyes” Carter was on. Unfortunately, what we know of that particular LCA is that everyone perished early on in the beach landings. He has never been forgotten and never will be, just like all of our Bedford Boys.

I hope to see you all soon, take care!
Elizabeth

           

Remember Veterans Day

Hello All,

Veterans Day is a week away and the Memorial is busy getting ready for the annual ceremony held at the eleventh hour, on the eleventh day, of the eleventh month. You won’t want to miss out this year! Not only are we honoring our veterans, we are also dedicating the new Blue Star and Gold Star bricks.

As you may remember from last years Veterans Day post and ceremony, Veterans Day is extremely important to our country and it’s legacy. It is a day to remember our Veteran’s, past and present, living or deceased. It is a time to reflect on their sacrifices made for us and honor their bravery.

Raising the flag on Iwo Jima, 1945.

Unfortunately, many people have forgotten the importance of this day, even the fact that it is Veterans Day. It used to be a time of parades and public gatherings, and a brief break from work at 11 am to reflect. Now it is a time for people to take advantage of sales and a day off from work. We have forgotten how important our Veterans are to our safety. Without them, who would protect our nation? Who would be willing to travel to unfamiliar places to defend us from what we could not do ourselves? Who would be brave enough to do their duty despite the terrifying or horrible conditions they are subjected to? Our soldiers and veterans are those courageous individuals.

“The willingness of America’s veterans to sacrifice for our country has earned them our lasting gratitude.” – Jeff Miller

Some ways you, and your community, can honor your veterans is to participate in your local Veterans Day observances. Whether that is through a local war memorial or church organization, you could even organize a small gathering of your own. If you have children or grandchildren, teach them the importance of our Veterans and make sure they understand the magnitude of their sacrifices. Volunteering to help Veterans is also a wonderful way to show your support and care for our heroes. If you are joining the D-Day Memorial this coming Veterans Day, then bring a Veteran you may know, or bring your family. Once you are here, you can find out all the ways you can get involved in the Memorial.

Veterans Day Parade, New York City, 2011

Veterans will always be part of our society and culture. To treat them with anything other than respect would be criminal.

“The veterans of our military services have put their lives on the line to protect the freedoms that we enjoy. They have dedicated their lives to their country and deserve to be recognized for their commitment.” – Judd Gregg 

I hope you will join us on Tuesday, Nov. 11, at 11 am.

Take care,

Elizabeth

Memorial Event: Veterans Day

How did Veterans Day Observances begin?  When the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, World War I, or "The Great War," officially came to an end.  However, fighting had actually ceased seven months prior when an armistice between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.  For this reason, November 11, 1918 is regarded as the end of the "war to end all wars."

A year after the armistice, in November 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations."

Originally Armistice Day observances were celebrated with parades and public meetings.  Business would not begin until 11am.  Congress officially recognized the end of "The Great War" when it passed a resolution on June 4, 1926 marking November 11, 1918 as the official end of the war.  An Act, approved May 13, 1938, made this day a legal holiday each year.  November 11 would be "a day dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as 'Armistice Day'."

World War II had required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, and airmen in our nation's history; and after American forces had fought in Korea, Congress, at the urging of veteran service organizations, amended the Act establishing Armistice Day.  On June 1, 1954, the word "Armistice" was replaced with "Veterans."  November 11 was now established as the day to honor American veterans of all wars. 

So, join us at 11am on November 11, 2013 to honor all who have served in the US Armed Forces.  The program will include guest speakers, music, and recognition of all veterans.  Free admission will be offered from 10am to Noon. 

We hope to see you there.

Until next time,

Felicia