Normandy residents show service members supporting D-Day anniversary some hometown hospitality

NORMANDY, France — On June 6, 65 years ago, allied forces battled side by side to liberate France. During the D-Day invasion that began that day, American, British and Canadian troops landed along a 50-mile stretch of the Normandy coast as part of the largest single-day amphibious invasion in history.

To this day, members of those same allied forces, local citizens and thousands of spectators from around the world come together in Normandy each year to honor those who fought -- and the thousands who died -- that day.

Sainte Mere Eglise, founded in the 12th century, earned its place in world history because it stood in the middle of the route the Germans planned to use for counterattacks on allied troops landing on nearby Utah Beach and Omaha Beach. The residents of this small French town -- there are about 1,500 of them -- have not forgotten the sacrifices American servicemembers made for their liberation. To this day many fly American flags alongside the French flags outside their homes.

This year many citizens from the town and several of its surrounding communities showed their appreciation for U.S. servicemembers, as they do each year, in a more personal way. Families in the area welcomed more than 350 members of Task Force Normandy 65 -- the team of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, federal employees and contractors from across Europe and the United States taking part in ceremonies commemorating the 65th anniversary of the invasion -- by inviting them to dinner in their homes.

"For many of the past 65 years since the liberation of the Normandy area many of the locals have invited servicemembers in to share experiences," said Michelle Kobie, who invited several task force members into her home in nearby Saint-Martin-sur-Varreville.

"There are so many French families in the area that would love to host the Americans who come here each year," explained the Indianapolis native.

She and her French husband, who met during college at Ohio University and moved to France to be closer to his family, invited 15 Soldiers and Airmen to their village, feeding them and introducing them to neighbors and friends as well as the town's mayor.

"Speaking from American experience, I can tell you, you will never find a warmer welcome than you will find here," she said. "The French residents here feel they were liberated and owe their entire freedom to the Americans who defended them 65 years ago."

"This is an unbelievable experience," said Sgt. Juan Felix, a parachute rigger with the 5th Quartermaster Company, based in Kaiserslautern, Germany.

Felix deployed to France for this year's events from Kaiserslautern to take part in an airborne operation from an Air Force C-130 Hercules over the beaches of Normandy, scheduled for June 7, which is part of this year's commemoration. He explained that he has been finding the entire experience here to be more than he ever expected.

"The local residents are doing so much to make us feel welcome," Felix said. "Everywhere we go (people) walk up and thank us for their freedoms, but we didnnt do anything. That is how much the sacrifice of those Solders who died on D-Day means to them," he said.

A long list of events are scheduled throughout the week, including more than two dozen memorial ceremonies, a parade of Harley-Davidson motorcycles, fireworks, concerts and a dance in the central square of Sainte Mere Eglise. Even a visit by the President of the United States is planned. Events such as these will last forever in the memories of the servicemembers who participate in them, and the gratitude of the people of Normandy as well as being welcomed into their homes will be high on the list of those memories.

"This is just amazing," said Pfc. Lawrence Hall, an M1 Abrams tank driver with 1st Infantry Division and the youngest servicemember of the trip to Kobie's home. "This experience started for me the moment I told my parents I was going," said the Jacksonville, Fla., native. "I have been in the Army for just over a year, and this is my first time out of the States -- simply amazing!"

As the evening approached toasts and goodbyes were exchanged, there was an open invitation to come back any time and a relationship built that will continue well into the future.

"This is my son," explained Kobie as she introduced two-and-a-half-year-old Owen to the servicemembers. "He's a little shy, and doesn't know what to think about your uniforms. He doesn't know yet the difference Americans made to the French way of life, but he will one day," she said. "You are always welcomed here."

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