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Its back to the locale of World
War II where he was twice wounded for Harold E. Brodd. SI, of
136 Summer St. Blackstone who participated in the invasion 34
years ago today of Normandy and Holland with the 508th Parachute
Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division.
Brodd has taken his wife with
him on a trip to Europe planned by the 508th Parachute Infantry
Regiment Association which departed Friday night from Kennedy
International Airport In New York as others of the 400-member
association were flying from O'Hare Airport in Chicago and from
Los Angeles, all to arrive in London at about the same.
From there they took a bus to
the coast, ferried to France and took a chartered bus to Normandy.
where each couple or Individual was assigned to a host or hostess
at whose home they resided during the European stay.
Sunday, a park of about an acre
in size, the land for which was purchased by the association,
was dedicated. It is being given for the use of the people of
Chef du Pont, according to Brodd, and will revert to the townspeople
when the last man who participated In the invasion as a member
of the regiment has died.
Yesterday, there was a tour of
the Invasion sites, and in the evening, there was dinner. in
the Hotel Hardy to Coutainvitte at which the Invasion veterans
hosted their hosts and hostesses as a mark of appreciation,
for the Gallic
hospitality. Later there was a
champagne dance at the Casino hosted by Danielle Rouland. one
of the most enthusiastic supporters In France of the American
association and its members.
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HAROLD
E.
BRODD
Today Is the anniversary of D-Day.
during which appropriate observances are being made by the French
people, and the veterans and their wives are touring Ste. Mere
Eglise, Omaha Beach, the Airborne Museum, and other sites.
Tomorrow morning, the travelers
will depart for Paris, where they will stay two nights at the
Spot Hotel. During the evening they will be guests of honor
of the Paris American Legion.
[source: Woonsocket Call, Woonsocket RI, June
4, 1978]
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Thursday will be a free day for
shopping, rest and sightseeing, but Friday morning buses will
leave for the Bulge, area of Belgium, where the travelers will
register at the Doux Hotel in Trots and rest before the start
of an evening reception
Saturday will be devoted to a
bus tour of the entire area, with a party in the evening at
Thieux. Sunday morning the group will go by bus to Holland,
slaying at Hotel Val in BergendahL and another reception is
planned for the evening A bus tour and reception is planned
for Monday
On the morning of June 13 the
group will go by bus to the coast, ferry to England and go to
Nottingham where they will attend reception that evening and
on the 14th.
On June 15, they will return to
London, staying at the Royal Scott Hold, where they will remain
until returning home on the 17th.
Brodd who is a tool and die maker
at Crest Manufacturing Co., Lincoln, was wounded in the invasion
of Normandy, and again in Holland, but returned to action both
times. His outfit continued on through the Ardennes, and then
served as body guards to General Dwight D. Eisenhower, and then
as honor guard to President Harry S. Truman.
Brodd received the Purple Heart
with oak leaf cluster, the Bronze Star, Presidential Unit Citation,
Combat Infantryman's Badge, Belgian and French Croix de Guerres.
Dutch Orange Lanyard, an arrowhead tor the Invasion of Normandy
battle stars tor Normandy, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace and Central
Europe.
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