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Its back to the locale of World
War II where he was twice wounded for Harold E. Brodd. SI, of
136 Summer St. Blackstone who participated in the invasion
34 years ago today of Normandy and Holland with the 508th Parachute
Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division.
Brodd has taken
his wife with him on a trip to Europe planned by the 508tth Parachute
Infantry Regiment Association which departed] Friday night from
Kennedy International Airport In New York as others of the 400-membcr
association were flying from O'Hare Airport in Chicago and from
Los Angeles, all to arrive in London at about the same.
From there they
took a bus to the coast, ferried to France and took a chartered
bus to Normandy. where each couple or Individual was assigned
to a host or hostess at whose home they resided during the European
stay.
Sunday, a park of about an
acre in size, the land for which was purchased by the
association, was dedicated. It is being given for the use of
the people of Chef du Pont, according to Brodd, and will revert to the townspeople
when the last man who participated
In the invasion as a member of the regiment has
died.
Yesterday, there
was a tour of the Invasion sites, and in the evening, there
was dinner. in the
Hotel Hardy to Coutainvitte at which the Invasion
veterans hosted their hosts and hostesses
as a mark of appreciation, for the Gallic
hospitality. Later there was a
champagne dance at the Casino hosted by Danielle Rouland. one
of the most enthusiastic supporters In France of the American
association and its members.
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HAROLD
E.
BRODD
Today Is the anniversary of D-Day.
during which appropriate observances are being made by the French
people, and the veterans and their wives are touring Ste. Mere
Iglise, Omaha Beach, the Airborne Museum, and other sites.
Tomorrow morning, the
travelers will depart for Paris, where they will stay two
nights at the Spot Hotel. During the evening they will be
guests of honor of the Paris American Legion.
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Thursday will be a free day for
shopping, rest and sightseeing, but Friday morning buses will
leave for the Bulge, area of Belgium, where the travelers will
register at the Doux Hotel in Trots and rest before the start
of an evening reception
Saturday
will be devoted to a bus tour of the entire area, with a party in the
evening at Thieux. Sunday morning the group will go by
bus to Holland, slaying at Hotel Val in BergendahL and another
reception tis planned for the evening A bus tour and reception
is planned for Monday
On the
morning of Jure 13 the group will go by bus to the coast, ferry
to England and go to Nottingham where they will attend reception
that evening and on the 14th.
One
June 15, they will return to London, staying at the Royal Scott
Hold, where they will remain until returning home on the 17th.
Brodd who is a tool and die maker at Crest Manufacturing Co., Lincoln,
was wounded in the invasion of Normandy, and again in Holland,
but returned to action both times. His outfit continued on through
the Ardennes, and then served as body guards to General Dwight
D. Eisenhower, and then as honor guard to President Harry S.
Truman.
Brodd received the Purple Heart
with oak leaf cluster, the Bronze Star, Presidential Unit Citation,
Combat Infantryman's Badge, Belgian and French Croix de Guerres.
Dutch Orange Lanyard, an arrowhead tor the Invasion of Normandy
battle stars tor Normandy, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace and Central
Europe.
[source: Woonsocket Call, Woonsocket RI,
June 4, 1978]
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