"I Wish It Would Go Away" // Russell Pickett Memorial скачать в хорошем качестве

"I Wish It Would Go Away" // Russell Pickett Memorial

On August 2nd, 2020, the world lost another hero. Our dear friend, #RussellPickett, the last surviving member of the 29th Infantry Division Company A, passed away at age 95. We wanted to share this story with you of one of the most amazing moments we had while in Normandy for the 75th anniversary of #DDay. Many of you may recognize Russell from our D-Day 75-anniversary video. This is the longer story of his return. Just over a year ago, while we were in #Normandy for the 75th Anniversary of D-Day, a few of us had an opportunity to document Russell’s very special first time return to the Dog Green Sector of #OmahaBeach, where he landed in the lead landing craft with Company A of the 116th Infantry Regiment, #29thInfantryDivision as a part of the first wave in the early morning hours of #June6, 1944. His landing craft hit a mine or was hit by an artillery shell, he was never sure what exactly happened, but he came to some time later in the shallow water unable to move. His objective that morning was to use his flame thrower to clear out a German pillbox at the base of the bluffs. As we stood at the top of the beach that evening, he was asked what it felt like to be here again and he said, “Not like the first time. To think 75 years later, it seems like yesterday. Sometimes I still feel like I’m going to wake up and it’s not going to be true. I wish it would go away… I wish it would go away.” As we were leaving to head back to our chateau, he paused and said, “My only regret is that I wasn’t able to save more of my comrades after being wounded.” It is hard to put into words the emotions we felt that evening at the top of the beach at Dog Green listening to Russell share his horrifying experience on that bloody morning, but I would be lying if I didn’t tell you that all of us had tears welling up in our eyes as we stood with him looking out over that sacred sand towards the #EnglishChannel. Russell, it was an absolute honor and a privilege to call you our friend and to share 10 days with you in Normandy celebrating the 75th Anniversary of D-Day and the beginning of the liberation of Europe. You are forever in our hearts and your spirit and story lives among us. Thank you for your courage, your bravery, and your service. Thank you for sharing your personal experience in the place that it happened. We love you and we are going to miss you. MB01NGDIGUDT8NG