SEQUIM — Nearly 60 years after the legendary invasion of Allied troops at the beaches of Normandy, France, there still are heroes left to be honored.
The World War II event’s 50th anniversary in 1994 led officials of Normandy to craft commemorative medals for soldiers from dozens of nations who participated in the operation.
But hundreds of Americans had yet to be found.
U.S. Rep. George Nethercutt, R-Spokane, took that on as a challenge.
After spending his 25th wedding anniversary in Normandy two years ago, and learning about the Jubilee of Liberty medal, Nethercutt decided to lead an effort to locate those unsung heroes.
On Saturday, he appeared at the Sequim VFW Post 4760 Hall and personally presented medals to five veterans of the Normandy invasion — and to the widow of a sixth.
‘Those who stormed’
“To all of you who are here, who are veterans, who are honorees, and to your families — your children and grandchildren — we give our respect to the bravery and courage of those who stormed the beach at Normandy that day,” Nethercutt told the crowd of about 40 men, women and children.
Saturday’s recipients of the Jubilee of Liberty medal are:
* Robert Floyd of Port Angeles
* Thomas Knee of Sequim
* Richard French of Port Angeles
* John Nedelka of Sequim
* Alfons Kaminski of Sequim
* Arvil Sanford of Sequim
* The late James Winders, accepted by his widow, Jeri Winders, of Sequim
