Local veterans observe 65th anniversary of D-Day

Local veterans observe 65th anniversary of D-Day

By Rob Heidrick Friday, 05 June 2009

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8787 in north Austin will install new officers Saturday, June 6, at a public ceremony that will include a moment of silence in observance of the 65th anniversary of D-Day, the Allied invasion of Western Europe in World War II.

The event begins at 1 p.m., and the D-Day tribute will take place at 4 p.m. VFW 8787 is located at 500 VFW Road, off the northbound IH 35 frontage road between Braker Lane and Tech Ridge Boulevard.

Veterans in Round Rock, Pflugerville and Austin, some of whom experienced the historic battle firsthand, are also commemorating the anniversary through private reflection.

Austin resident Jack Butler served as a navigator on a B-24 bomber, part of a fleet of more than 2,500 four-engine bombers that flew over the coastline of Normandy, France, on June 6, 1944.

“Our mission was to bomb all the German gun encasements and landmines along the German coast,” Butler said. “Our last bomb could not be dropped later than 6:30 a.m. because that was the time our brave infantrymen would start coming ashore. Make no mistake about this. Our infantrymen were the heroes of D-Day.”

Bill Bennett, commander of VFW Post 8787, said local veterans’ groups play an active role in community service, with outreach and scholarship programs at area schools.

“We promote patriotism,” Bennett said. “We’ve served our country and now we serve our community.”

George Johns American Legion Post 447, located at 1000 N. Georgetown St. in Round Rock, honors American war veterans with ceremonies throughout the year, including events on Memorial Day, Veterans Day, Independence Day and Armed Forces Day. Adjutant Dick Moras said post members observed Memorial Day this year by holding a flag retirement ceremony.

“We also do lots of work through the schools,” Moras said. “We help homeless veterans and other veterans in the community, both financially and physically. We also work with the veterans’ hospital in Temple.”

For more information on VFW Post 8787, call 836-8767 or visit www.vfw8787.org/website. For more information about American Legion Post 446, call 244-0480 or visit www.americanlegionpost447.org.