May 8 ceremonies in Vierville and Trévières

Charles Carré, a veteran of the 28th division, participated in the ceremonies of Vierville-sur-Mer and then Mandeville-en-Bessin on a Tuesday. Aged 88, he was the oldest guest at the meal then shared with Mandeville’s older residents.

The newspaper, which presents him as a native of New Jersey, recalls his landing in Vierville on June 22, 1944, his first meeting with a Frenchman in Bricqueville, then his fighting in Cerisy-la-Forêt and Villedieu-les-Poêles. He had participated in the Champs-Élysées parade on August 29, 1944. Returning regularly to the families he met in 1944, this great traveler easily exchanged in French with his hosts.

A second part of the cut relates the Franco-German celebration of May 8. Nearly twenty delegations of parish veterans had gathered at the church under the aegis of Monsignor Metzeder and Father Hugue, according to the printed names.

While staying in the region, the 262nd Parachute Battalion of Zweibrücken had been invited by Claude de Ligny, President of the Veterans of Trévières, to attend the religious service and the ceremony commemorating the end of the Second World War. The cut recalled that in Germany May 8 was commemorated as liberation from Nazism.

For the 67th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, Mayor Antoine de Bellaigue, the city council and veterans invited residents to a mass on a Tuesday morning in Vierville-sur-Mer. It was celebrated by Monsignor Bernward Mezger, military chaplain of the 262nd German paratrooper battalion, visiting the landing beaches.

Charles Carré, 88, marked the meeting of his presence. The newspaper traces his journey: born in Brittany in 1924, he had emigrated with his parents to Canada and then to the United States at the end of the 1920s. Still French, he joined the U.S. Army at the age of nineteen, then was assigned to the 28th Division of the Pennsylvania National Guard as a machine gunner and interpreter.

Stationed in England since October 27, 1943, he landed in Vierville on June 22, 1944. He had spent three days in Bricqueville with René Gouesmel, the first Frenchman he met and became his friend.

According to the story of the cut, his first fighting took place in Cerisy-la-Forêt and continued until July 23. After the losses of the 28th division, he is reported to have been transferred to the 29th, then to have fought during Operation Cobra in Saint-Lô, Villedieu, Percy, Gathemo and Domfront, before Paris.

After the mass, wreaths were deposited at the monument to the dead and the delegations returned to their municipalities.

For the 67th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, Mayor Antoine de Bellaigue, the city council and veterans invited residents to a mass on a Tuesday morning in Vierville-sur-Mer. It was celebrated by Monsignor Bernward Mezger, military chaplain of the 262nd German paratrooper battalion, visiting the landing beaches.

Charles Carré, 88, marked the meeting of his presence. The newspaper traces his journey: born in Brittany in 1924, he had emigrated with his parents to Canada and then to the United States at the end of the 1920s. Still French, he joined the U.S. Army at the age of nineteen, then was assigned to the 28th Division of the Pennsylvania National Guard as a machine gunner and interpreter.

Stationed in England since October 27, 1943, he landed in Vierville on June 22, 1944. He had spent three days in Bricqueville with René Gouesmel, the first Frenchman he met and became his friend.

According to the story of the cut, his first fighting took place in Cerisy-la-Forêt and continued until July 23. After the losses of the 28th division, he is reported to have been transferred to the 29th, then to have fought during Operation Cobra in Saint-Lô, Villedieu, Percy, Gathemo and Domfront, before Paris.

After the mass, wreaths were deposited at the monument to the dead and the delegations returned to their municipalities.

On May 8, 2012, after a religious service in Vierville-sur-Mer, veterans, flag bearers, elected officials and residents of Trévières and the surrounding area gathered in front of the monument to the dead. Representatives of the 6th company of the 262nd German paratrooper battalion, led by Captain Stefan Werner, were guests of honor. The children participated by laying flowers.

Stationed in Zweibrücken, the battalion was presented as a unit capable of intervening around the world to evacuate nationals of NATO countries from conflict zones. It also participated in the maneuvers and operations of the Alliance, especially in Afghanistan. The 6th company, a training unit with one hundred and fifty men and women according to the photograph’s caption, visited the beaches to better understand the conditions of the Landing.

The article recalled that in Germany, May 8 marked liberation from Nazism. The soldiers, committed to defending justice and freedom, came with veterans to honor the dead of the Second World War.

At the glass of friendship, Jean-Pierre Richard, mayor of Trévières, warmly welcomed them, also greeting the return of Monsignor Bernward Mezger, who knew the region well. He recalled the work of politicians in favor of Franco-German reconciliation and presented this friendly meeting as a message of hope and confidence for the younger generations, but also of vigilance for peace in the world. He finally greeted René Trocmé, the last veteran of 1939-1945 of the municipality, and thanked the schoolchildren.

On May 8, 2012, after a religious service in Vierville-sur-Mer, veterans, flag bearers, elected officials and residents of Trévières and the surrounding area gathered in front of the monument to the dead. Representatives of the 6th company of the 262nd German paratrooper battalion, led by Captain Stefan Werner, were guests of honor. The children participated by laying flowers.

Stationed in Zweibrücken, the battalion was presented as a unit capable of intervening around the world to evacuate nationals of NATO countries from conflict zones. It also participated in the maneuvers and operations of the Alliance, especially in Afghanistan. The 6th company, a training unit with one hundred and fifty men and women according to the photograph’s caption, visited the beaches to better understand the conditions of the Landing.

The article recalled that in Germany, May 8 marked liberation from Nazism. The soldiers, committed to defending justice and freedom, came with veterans to honor the dead of the Second World War.

At the glass of friendship, Jean-Pierre Richard, mayor of Trévières, warmly welcomed them, also greeting the return of Monsignor Bernward Mezger, who knew the region well. He recalled the work of politicians in favor of Franco-German reconciliation and presented this friendly meeting as a message of hope and confidence for the younger generations, but also of vigilance for peace in the world. He finally greeted René Trocmé, the last veteran of 1939-1945 of the municipality, and thanked the schoolchildren.