An American hospital reconstituted in tribute to Cecil Breeden

One hundred and thirty collectors based in Vierville-sur-Mer have reconstructed an American hospital in tribute to Cecil Breeden. This nurse had treated and comforted his comrades under fire and mortar shells. Died in 1991, he had, according to the article, neither requested nor received official recognition.

His brothers Jimmy and Robert, also former U.S. Army soldiers during the Landing, were to visit the camp on a Friday afternoon. Gilbert, a member of the Tourcoing club, brought their story closer to that of the film Soldier Ryan.

The collectors had reconstituted a hospital of the type of those installed fifteen days after the start of the Landing: operating room, period medical equipment and bottles, stretchers sometimes used as beds for the participants. An armory presented the weapons of the 1939-1945 war, some of which were later reused during the Algerian war. The organizers said they wanted to convey a message of peace, rather than playing war.

Archive image: https://vierville.cordelle.eu/Photos2008/2004-hopBreeden2004.jpg