The inauguration of a monument to the memory of the 29th division

One Saturday, a gray marble monument dedicated to the 29th American Division was inaugurated in Vierville-sur-Mer, in the presence of one hundred and fifty veterans from the United States, accompanied by their wives, as well as French and American civil, military and religious personalities. The newspaper inscribed this tribute in the memory of the sacrifices of division, from the First World War to the Landing.

The article opened with a numerical account of June 6, 1944: it mentioned more than fourteen thousand men of the 29th division landed in Omaha in the morning, and twelve thousand taking position in the evening. These figures are those advanced by the cut.

After a wreath laying in the morning at Colleville Cemetery, the afternoon ceremony was led by Robert Miller, president of the monument committee. Memory, sacrifice and freedom were the themes. The mayor, named Jean-Yves Oxéant in the newspaper, affirmed the desire to transmit to the children the recognition received from their parents towards the Americans.

Senator Philippe de Bourgoing, representing Raymond Triboulet, President of the Landing Committee, took up this message in English. Reverend John Schildt and Father Georges Tourquetil then invited the public to pray for the dead and the missing.

Two American veterans unveiled the monument, accompanied by Mr. Françoise, president of the Vierville veterans, and Mr. Hardelay, former mayor. In the recollection, veterans and wives laid a rose at the foot of the building.

Reconstructed or uncertain passages:
- The military numbers in the hat are those of the newspaper and have not been independently verified. The mayor's first name is printed "Jean-Yves" in this source; other denominations name Jean-Marie Oxéant.

Archive image: https://vierville.cordelle.eu/PhDoc10/1988-Sept19-memo.jpg