LA PORTE, Texas — There are ceremonies for the 75th anniversary of D-Day across the country honoring those brave men who survived the siege and those who lost their lives in France.
And on Thursday, there are French officials on the Battleship Texas to honor men here who fought.
Many can’t believe it has been 75 years since D-Day. Others say they remember it like it was yesterday.
A group of World War II veterans were honored with Frances’s most prestigious decoration – the French Legion of Honor.
This award stems back to 1802 and is given to civilians and soldiers who achieve great things in the service of France.
The six American servicemen who received the award on Thursday also recognize all the men who didn’t make it back or had a chance to be honored for their service.
“We receive this award because we happen to be here,” Robert Sanchez, a WORLD WAR II veteran, said. “We wouldn’t be here either if some of our comrades hadn’t been with us at the time that they lost their lives.”
A couple of the Legion of Honor medals were given to family members. One veteran couldn’t make it because of health and the other had recently passed away.
One thing is for sure, everyone who was at Thursday’s ceremony is thankful for the opportunity to witness this special moment and also thankful for the sacrifices they’ve made over the last 75 years.