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These two
monuments honoring the regiment are located near the bridge, which
crossed the Merderet
River at the end of Rue Capitaine Rex Combs. At this site, the 508
association increased the size of a plot of ground there by hauling in
many loads of soil filling in part of the river.
On this enlarged plot of ground, a small park built and filled with
trees, flowers, picnic tables and beautiful green grass. Our flag flies at this
site every day. The park is the 508th's gift to the people there and the
monuments
are their tribute to
our regiment and the many brave men lost there during the
liberation.
The leftmost stone honors O.B. Hill as founder of the 508 PIR
Association and a lover of Norman people. On the right is the
first stone erected by the Association commemorating the offering of the
park to the people of Normandy. |
Wall of Remembrance
erected by Lucien Hasley, Village du Port-de-Filiolet, Picauville, to
honor the parachutists who landed near his home in the early morning of
June 6, 1944. Lucien was 10 years old at the time of the invasion.
The names of some of the men who defended Hill 30 are inscribed on the
wall.
(Undated postcard image courtesy Irv Shanley) |
Wall of Remembrance - 2004
The names of some of the men who defended Hill 30
are inscribed on the wall. Photo taken during D-Day + 60 tour, June 2004
(photo courtesy Jumpmaster) |
Buddies Remembered
[l-r] D. Zane Schlemmer,
Edward V. Ott and Irving T. Shanley were all in the 81 mm Mortar Platoon,
HQ 2nd.
A visit to the wall is a "must" each year that they have returned, as it
is for many of the 508ers that make the journey.
(Undated photo courtesy Irv Shanley) |
