HOHENFELS, Germany -- Members of Hohenfels’ Boy Scout troop 303 and Cub Scout pack 303 joined scouts from around the world on the beaches at Normandy to pay tribute to the heroes who fought and died for freedom during the D-day invasion of June 6, 1944.
As part of a project with UNESCO in support of having the landing beaches declared a world heritage site, more than 3000 participants lined up on the beaches with green placards and spelled out “Normandy, land of liberty.”
“All of us wore the Bleuet, the French symbol of remembrance,” said scout master Kirstin Reed. “We’re (Boy Scouts of America) very important for keeping the memory alive. It’s a pilgrimage the scouts do every three years.”
Reed said the Scouts were impressed with how far the beach stretched and the courage of the men who had to cross that distance in the face of tremendous opposition.
“There was a lot of time where we were just calmed into silence,” said Reed. “There were a lot of quiet conversations, a lot less horsing around. They really got it.”
Scout Kacey Joyner said this really put things in perspective for him.
“At one point all the scouts … about 3000, were gathered at Omaha Beach. We were told that about that many Soldiers died in the first 30 minutes,” Joyner said. “I can’t even comprehend the sacrifice that was given.”
During the closing ceremonies at the American Cemetery, each scout troop laid a set of flowers at the head of the reflecting pool. Afterwards, visitors could lay individual flowers at specific graves.
“Col. Dan Barnett (Joint Multinational Readiness Center deputy commander) and his son Patrick went around and found members of his infantry and laid a flower,” said Reed. She said the Scouts were truly moved by the experience.
“This wasn’t like Memorial Day where we just lay a wreath, we were actually laying these flowers at the feet of these men who had done this (battle),” she said.
Other activities included a boat tour, hiking, and a visit to the cliff-side fortifications of Point de Hoc.
“That’s where the Rangers shimmied up these cliffs basically by their fingernails and sheer will to take that position,” Reed said.
Reed added that Scouting with military members always adds to the overall experience.
“You always have someone who knows a lot about one of the things you’re doing,” she said. “In the military, these battles are legendary, so all the officers are fully indoctrinated.”
Joyner said, while the Scouts were there, a French national approached him and said, “Thank you, America. Thank you for making us free.”
“I had no idea how to reply to that,” said Joyner.
The Hohenfels Community and Spouses Club provided a generous donation to help fund the trip. They supported the transportation and admission costs, Reed said.
“Thanks to them, every single scout who wanted to go, regardless of their family income, they went,” she added.
Besides an opportunity to visit a historic battlefield, many of the Scouts brought back lessons that will last a lifetime.
“I have a new outlook on D-day,” said Joyner. “Men that were once strangers from different worlds became friends all in a fight against tyranny. I hope it is a friendship that will last for ages.”
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