Photo By Matthew Jones | Brig. Gen. John Gronski, 28th Infantry Division commanding general, delivers remarks...... read more read more
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SCRANTON, Pa. - Members of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard’s 55th Armor Brigade, 28th Infantry Division, participated in West Scranton High School’s D-Day commemoration ceremony June 6, 2014.
During the ceremony, the soldiers performed the official raising of the flag and 21-gun salute. Additionally, Brig. Gen. John Gronski, 28th Infantry Division commanding general, was among the distinguished guests to address the audience of students, faculty, administrators and local veterans regarding the tactical challenges the Allies faced on D-Day.
“The German bunkers along the west shore were thought by many to be impregnable; even our British allies were hesitant to take on this great obstacle,” Gronski said. “It took some very special American soldiers to stand up to this challenge, but it started the chain of events that finally defeated the Third Reich on its own soil.”
Several of those American soldiers were in attendance. Along with veterans of other eras, they were presented with the high school diplomas that they never received having left school early to fight overseas.
“The spirit of that day is kept alive by students, faculty and administrators here at west Scranton High School, and I think that’s commendable,” said Gronski, who grew up in nearby Moosic. “It’s important to keep our history alive and never forget the cost paid for freedom.”
Other speakers included local Congressman Matthew Cartwright and state attorney general Kathleen Kane who was a graduate of the school. Additionally, the ceremony recognized current students who have made a commitment to join the military. A new sign for the high school was also unveiled featuring the profile of an American World War II soldier to represent the school as the “Home of the Invaders.”
“We owe our World War II veterans a debt that we will never be able to fully repay,” Gronski said. “If not for the sacrifice of those men and women known as the greatest generation, we would not have the great country that we are blessed with today.”
| Date Taken: | 06.06.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 06.10.2014 09:20 |
| Story ID: | 132649 |
| Location: | SCRANTON, PENNSYLVANIA, US |
| Hometown: | MOOSIC, PENNSYLVANIA, US |
| Web Views: | 165 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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