Normandy

Great Aunt Helen Karvan worked at Ford’s Willow Run Aircraft plant in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

Helen Karvan (née Verbus), remembered by her great-nephew, Daniel Janies

After 60 missions, Jack Schill was killed in action in 1944 over Hungary while attempting to outmaneuver German war planes.

Jack Schill, remembered by his great-niece, Darcy Everett

The Pride of Niner Nation Marching Band visited Omaha Beach, site of the hard-fought Allied victory on June 6, 1944. They planted flags commemorating military veterans.

Helen Patton, granddaughter of General George Patton, poses with members of the Pride of Niner Nations Marching Band shortly after the band’s performance at the Brittany American Cemetery in Normandy, France.

The “Pride of Niner Nation” Marching Band performed at the Brittany American Cemetery in Normandy, France.  Two band members, Emily Asbill and Tyriq Evans, spoke at the memorial event. 

One of the visits on the Pride of Niner Nation Marching Band’s tour of Normandy to commemorate D-Day is the Brittany American Cemetery, the resting place of 4,410 American servicemen. Cemetery Superintendent David Bedford on Thursday showed the grave of Pvt. Samuel Peterson of Charlotte, killed in the Normandy campaign.  As he rubbed Omaha Beach […]