Received this from Howard Huebner, 82nd Airborne
2010 June : D-Day Events and Ceremonies (Revised 21 May)
The official events and ceremonies in the area around Ste. Mère-Eglise and its communities are announced and kept up-to-date on the Ste. Mère-Eglise Office of Tourism website www.sainte-mere-eglise.info/en/pageLibre00014047.html . You may access this information in English. You can scroll down to the individual villages to see their respective scheduled ceremonies and events. In addition to these listings, the Association U. S. Normandie “mémoire et gratitude” would like to inform you of additional events and ceremonies that we have organized or wish to remind you of :
Thursday 3 June : (These events and ceremonies are coordinated by our association!)
02:00 pm Timmes’ Orchards ceremony : Place flowers and make a short speech.
03:00 pm Charles N. DeGlopper Honor : A delegation of the DeGlopper family (3) and VFW friend will be here in Normandy for the first time ! They will be escorted by LTC (retired) Kelly Carrigg. Place flowers and make speeches. Special presentation!
04:00 pm Cauquigny Chapel Prayer Service : This will be a short (30 minutes) prayer service in honor of the Timmes and DeGlopper families, as well as to remember the passing of Amfreville’s “Citizen of Honor” Wayne Pierce. Of course, we will remember the passages of all of our liberators.
05:00 pm Amfreville Community Center : Wine and refreshments provided by our association under a tent outside. Rotisserie on the grounds where you may buy dinner.
06:45 pm Guided Amfreville Historic Walk : Will depart in four groups in 10 minute intervals. The theme is “Night of the Paratroopers”. This is a walking tour that will last about three hours. There will be three French guides (Daniel Briard, Emile Lapierre and Yves Poisson) and one American guide (Rodolphe Roger). We have pamphlets and brochures with maps, photos, and information. You must sign up early at the tourist office. You may do this online. It is free, but with limited places. Contact : ot@csme.fr (they understand English!)
22:00 pm Amfreville Community Center : Projection of a U. S. archives film by the Office of Tourism for the walkers.
Friday 4 June : (These events and ceremonies are coordinated by our association!)
09:30 am Gourbesville : Ceremony at the 82nd Airborne Division and 90th Infantry Division Memorial with military presence.
10:30 am Amfreville : Ceremony at the 507th PIR Memorial with military presence.
02:30 pm Négreville : Ceremony at the town square named in honor of Chris Heisler and in memory of the 507th PIR .
06:45 pm Guided Amfreville Historic Walk : Will depart in four groups in 10 minute intervals. The theme is “No Better Place To Die”. This is a walking tour that will last about three hours. There will be three French guides (Daniel Briard, Emile Lapierre and Yves Poisson) and one American guide (Rodolphe Roger). We have pamphlets and brochures with maps, photos, and information. You must sign up early at the tourist office for tickets. You may do this online. It is free, but with limited places. Contact : ot@csme.fr (they understand English !)
22:00 pm Amfreville Community Center : Projection of a U. S. archives film by the Office of Tourism for the walkers.
Saturday 5 June : (information only, not coordinated by the Association U. S. Normandie)
12:30 pm Parachute Jump by Liberty Jump Team
02:00 pm Parachute Jump by active military (American, French, British, German)
The premiere of the documentary “Howard the Hero” will be held in Ste. Mère-Eglise at the Town Hall Commuity Center. The story is based on our dear 507th PIR veteran Howard Huebner, who received the French Legion of Honor in June 2009 and was quoted by our American President Obama at the Colleville American Cemetery ceremony last year. The film is produced by Richard Warner, and will be shown free of charge. There is special footage dedicated to the French Resistance and significant photos and information from the U. S. National Archives, intertwined with stories and letters from Howard. Music and songs written by the producer.
Note : This documentary is presented here as information only! It is not coordinated by the association U. S. Normandie. However, Howard is an honorary member of our association, and we highly recommend that all of you see it. Vivian Roger is coordinating the premiere for Richard Warner and Howard’s family with officials in Ste. Mère-Eglise. She is also assisting in the editing.
Schedule for film : You will not want to miss this!!!
Original Version English French Version
Saturday 5 June Samedi 5 juin
10:00 – 11:00 11h30 au 12h30
15:30 – 16:30 14h au 15h
Sunday 6 June Dimanche 6 juin
10:00 – 11:00 11h30 au 12h30
15:30 – 16:30 14h au 15h
Sunday 6 June :
At 7 pm our association will meet at the restaurant TINAJO at the Utah Beach Camping area for dinner. We will be providing dinner at our charge for the families of veterans for whom some of our members are hosting. If there are others of you who wish to join us, the cost is 22€ each . Please let me know as soon as possible so we can make sure to have enough places for all (no later than 24 May). The meal will include aperitif, a large and various salad bar followed by a hot entrée and then a choice of desserts, coffee, wine. The family of Howard Huebner (including the filmmaker) will be with us, as well as the DeGlopper delegation!!! vivianroger@orange.fr
Another note of interest : Mark Patterson has informed me (April) that the Cauquigny Chapel Stained Glass Project commemorating the 82nd Airborne Division (and related regiments who fought at the Battle of La Fière 6-9 June 1944) will not be completed in time for this June 2010 inauguration. Another date will be determined.