21st TSC Soldiers honor the 67th Anniversary of Normandy

By Staff Sgt. Michael J. Taylor, 21st TSC Public AffairsJune 8, 2011

21st TSC Soldiers honor the 67th Anniversary of Normandy
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Pfc. Stephan Hut, a Dutch army paratrooper, helps fellow paratrooper Spc. Winston H. Cartier III, a parachute rigger with the 21st Theater Sustainment Command’s 5th Quartermaster Detachment, strap on a life preserver in Cherebourg, France, June 5. Th... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
21st TSC Soldiers honor the 67th Anniversary of Normandy
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Airborne Soldiers from various units throughout Germany and Italy, including the 21st Theater Sustainment Command’s 5th Quartermaster Detachment, march through the city of Carentan during a parade in Carentan, France, June 3. The city of Ca... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
21st TSC Soldiers honor the 67th Anniversary of Normandy
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A group of Soldiers, Airmen and foreign paratroopers, including Soldiers from 21st Theater Sustainment Command’s 5th Quartermaster Detachment, receive a briefing at the rear of a C-130 Hercules aircraft prior to loading up for an airborne jump into N... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
21st TSC Soldiers honor the 67th Anniversary of Normandy
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers from the 21st Theater Sustainment Command’s 5th Quartermasters Detachment prepare to march as the French Army Band passes by during a dedication ceremony at the Signal Monument in Sainte Mere Eglise, France, June 6. During the ceremony, Worl... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

NORMANDY, France " Perhaps one of the most famous Airborne Operations in History is Operation Overlord, more well-known as the D-Day invasion.

In this famous assault on the German-occupied Normandy region of France, thousands of paratroopers dropped from hundreds of C-47 planes and into World War II.

The commemoration of this event held a special place in the hearts of the airborne troops of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command’s 5th Quartermaster Detachment as they traveled to Normandy, June 1-6 to help commemorate the 67th Anniversary of this momentous event, most well-known for its airborne and amphibious assaults.

“Being able to step in the same sand, dirt, grass and pastures as past Soldiers did 67 years ago meant a great deal to me,” said Sgt. Angel L. Cotte, a parachute rigger with the 5th QM Det., and a native of Bronx, N.Y.

The 5th QM Det. troops are part of more than a dozen military and civilian organizations that helped commemorate that fateful day, June 6, 1944, when Canadian, British and U.S. forces conducted the largest amphibious invasion in history. In addition to the 124,000 who came by sea, another 23,000 paratroopers came in via glider or parachute, ultimately leading to the defeat of Adolf Hitler and his Nazis approximately two years later.

Every year the citizens of Normandy honor the sacrifices made by the men and women who risked their lives, some making the ultimate sacrifice to liberate France, by commemorating the anniversary of the invasion.

The 5th QM Det. took part in this year’s commemoration by participating in more than 10 ceremonies that honored past veterans of World War II with dedications and memorials.

“The ceremonies have been just amazing,” said Capt. Robin Eskelson, the commander of the 5th QM Det. Every single time we support the D-Day events, people come out with flags and tell us how thankful they are. “So to stand in these ceremonies makes you feel proud that you get to be a part of the history of thanking all the brave men and women who gave their lives,” she added.

With approximately 26 Soldiers, the Quartermasters stood alongside paratroopers from various other U.S. Army airborne units within Germany, Italy and the U.S. They were also joined by foreign airborne soldiers from England, Germany, Italy, France and the Netherlands. The paratroopers collectively marched in parades, attended ceremonies and provided an airborne presence at dedications and memorials.

Among the numerous memorial ceremonies in which the 5th QM participated were Pointe Du Hoc and Omaha Beach. Pointe Du Hoc was a point of attack by the U.S. Army Ranger Assault Group during Operation Overlord in World War II. Omaha Beach is the code name for one of the five sectors of the Allied invasion of German-occupied France in the Normandy landings.

Taking part in the 67th Anniversary literally allowed the quartermasters the chance to walk in the same footprints as past paratroopers who fought on the beaches and in the cities during World War II.

“To be honest, it was chilling,” said Spc. Winston H. Cartier III, a parachute rigger with the 5th QM Det. and a native of the U. S. Virgin Islands. “When I was sitting on Omaha Beach I had goose bumps seeing the actual battle grounds where so many Soldiers fought and gave their lives.”

Even though the Quartermasters gladly took part in the remembrances and dedications, for the majority of the Soldiers the most anticipated part of their trip was the re-enactment of the world’s most famous airborne drop, where they would get to jump into the very fields that hundreds of thousands of Soldiers jumped into 67 years ago. Just as it did 67 years ago, the weather cancelled the airborne drop on June 5. This year, however, the paraptroopers were not able to postpone and simply drop in the next day, as those in Operation Overlord did so many years ago. Ultimately the drop was entirely cancelled this year, but the enthusiasm of the crowds for all of the other commeration activities seemed to carry through.

“I was really looking forward to the jump so I am a little disappointed that it was cancelled, but that’s ok because I still got the chance to be here and take part in history and a once in a lifetime opportunity,” said Cartier.