‘D-Day has a special meaning for all of us.’ Lexington honors D-Day 80th anniversary
A program to honor the 80th anniversary of D-Day and recognize eight fallen World War II soldiers with connections to Lexington was held Thursday night at the Kentucky Theatre.
“D-Day has a special meaning for all of us,” Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton said.
Gorton gave proclamations to the families of eight fallen soldiers with ties to Lexington and are now buried in the Normandy American Cemetery. Students who are part of the Lexington Sister Cities Deauville Exchange Program announced the name and information of each soldier while a family representative was given a plaque from the mayor.
Sister Cities International is a program created in 1956 by President Eisenhower to create bonds and peace between communities globally.
The Lexington Sister Cities Deauville Student Exchange Program is a six-week experience that allows high school students the chance to spend three weeks in Deauville, France, before returning to the U.S. with a French peer for the remaining three weeks.
“It [Sister Cities] is a testament to the enduring friendship between our nations forged in the fires of war as a stand for peace,” U.S. Rep. Andy Barr said.
Dewayne Brewer, the nephew of one of the recognized soldiers and a retired military chaplain, said he appreciated the opportunity to honor his uncle’s life and service.
“He didn’t have an opportunity to continue to serve, but he gave everything,” Brewer said. “I just viewed my whole life of service was part of his life he gave for us. It’s what we honor now with D-Day and the freedoms we share.”
The D-Day program attendants, mostly veterans and their families of all ages, were shown audio interviews with some of Lexington’s D-Day veterans and a KET World War II documentary that featured Kentucky veterans sharing their personal stories from the war.
“I believe it [D-Day] is one of the most pivotal days in the history of the world,” University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto said before introducing the interview footage.
“I want to extend a heartfelt thanks, especially to our veterans and their families who are with us today. Your courage, sacrifice, resilience, are the essential and unshakable foundations in which we can preserve freedom around the globe.”
The event was sponsored by the city of Lexington, the Kentucky Theatre, Lexington Sister Cities, Kentucky Educational Television (KET), The Nunn Center, the Lexington Public Library Kentucky Room, Lexington History Museum and Full Field Agency.
This story was originally published June 7, 2024 at 7:32 AM.
