Deep Respect presents the June 2012 commemorations to Eric Rackhman

The members of Deep Respect and Marie-Christine Costy, president of the Gateways of Omaha, received a Monday evening the veteran Eric L. J. Rackhman to present the commemorations scheduled for June 2 to 9. Founded by Tenno Dogger and Carole Duval, the association intended to preserve and transmit the memory of Operation Overlord fighters, by working throughout the year with their families.

Born in London on May 22, 1925, Eric Rackhman voluntarily joined the British army at the age of eighteen. Present off Arromanches on June 6, 1944, he had landed on the 7th and remained about five weeks as a DUKW driver, to transport the equipment until the completion of the artificial port.

For the 68th anniversary, five British veterans were announced: Cyril G. Banks, of the 18th MSF, HMS Ready, Royal Navy; Eric J. L. Rackhman, of the DUKW Force, Royal Army Service Corps; Leslie Dobinson, of the 2nd Tactical Air Force, Royal Air Force; Edwin Jeffrey, radio-telegraphist of the Royal Navy; and Albert Figg, attached in the newspaper to the 43rd Welsh Division.

Four Americans were also expected: Charles N. Shay, of the 1st Infantry Division, 16th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion; Jack Port, of the 4th Infantry Division, 12th Infantry Regiment, company E; Bernard Dargols, of the 2nd Infantry Division; and Donald J. Robertson, of the 29th Infantry Division, 175th Infantry Regiment, company M.

The program began on Saturday, June 2 with the arrival and reception of veterans. On Sunday 3 at 2:30 p.m., the Gateways of Omaha and the Mayor of Vierville were to receive them before a jeep ride. At 3 p.m., a public meeting at the party hall combined 1940s music, films, photographs, book signings and small catering. A visit to the Vierville Museum was scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

On Monday 4 at 2:30 p.m., a recollection in front of the ashes of a US Navy veteran, in the presence of his daughter, was announced at the U.S. National Guard monument. At 5:30 p.m., a ceremony was to inaugurate a new Rangers monument in Grandcamp-Maisy. On June 3 and 4, the Gateways of Omaha also offered a passage from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at a rate of €3 per vehicle and €1 per pedestrian.

On Wednesday, June 6, the British were to participate in the Bayeux and Ranville ceremonies, the Americans in those of the Colleville-sur-Mer and Utah Beach cemetery. In Vierville, a ceremony was announced at 6 p.m. at the Monument of the 29th Division, with Donald J. Robertson, presented as landed on June 6. At 6:30 p.m., a plaque dedicated to RAF technicians was to be inaugurated in front of the monument of the American National Guard, before a wine of honor offered by the municipality at 7:15 p.m. at the party hall.

On Thursday 7 at 4 p.m. a guided tour with veterans, museums and a barbecue at the Bénédictines farm in Grandcamp-Maisy were planned. On Friday 8 at 4 p.m., the lime kilns of Aignerville were to host the inauguration of a plaque in memory of the civilians sheltered during the bombings of June 6 to 9, 1944 and the soldiers of the 2nd American Infantry Division.

The coordinates published for Deep Respect were 02 31 51 93 12 and 02 31 10 03 53; the announced annual membership cost €20. This program and information are those of the article dated Tuesday, May 29, 2012.

Reconstructed or uncertain passages:
- The hat gives a foundation of Deep Respect in September 2012, after the printed publication of May 29, 2012: this contradictory date is not taken up as certain. The veteran's initials alternate between L. J. and J. L. in the newspaper. The designations of units and the landing of Donald J. Robertson are those of the source and are not rectified by assumption.

Archive image: https://vierville.cordelle.eu/PhDoc12/DeepRespectCeremoniesJuin2012.jpg