5/30/14 - A week from today will mark the 70th anniversary of the D-Day invasion of Normandy in World War II, and a Livingston County living legend from that day will be there to receive another decoration to go with the many heâs already earned. Don Burgett of Howell is 89 now, but was just 19 when he parachuted into Normandy in the morning hours of June 6th, 1944 as a member of the 101st Airborne Division. Burgett would go on to write four books about his experiences, including the iconic âCurrahee; A Screaming Eagle at Normandy,â which was praised by no less then General Dwight Eisenhower. Burgett says heâs actually working on a fifth book about his experiences and thatâs partly what prompted him to make the journey again, having been there just last year and many times previously. He tells WHMI that those visits have forged lifelong friendships, including that of several mayors, one of who will allow him and his daughter to stay with them while in Normandy. But Burgett will be receiving more than just the hospitality of the communities he once helped to liberate from the Nazis. He, along with fellow 101st Airborne veterans Bob Noody and Dan McBride will be decorated with the French Légion of Honour at Angoville on Saturday, June 7th. The award is the highest decoration in France, and is normally reserved only for citizens of that nation. However, it is also bestowed to those who have served and fought in defense of France. Burgett says heâs truly honored to receive the award, but that the decorations he received from the U.S. Army as a paratrooper were really all the honors heâs ever needed. Burgett will discuss his trip and remembrances of D-Day this Sunday morning at 8:30 on WHMIâs Viewpoint program. (JK)
↧