Edward Ozuna Garcia Jr.

June 6th 1944 - D Day - The Normandy Invasion, June 6th 1944. My Dad was in the second wave during the Invasion of Normandy 82 years ago. Dad never talked about the war or the things he did during the war. In 2001 “Saving Private Ryan” was playing on TV, my Dad was watching it in the family room. I walked in and my Dad pointed to the TV and said that he was there, in the Normandy Invasion. The movie showed men rushing the beach getting killed or blown up. At that moment I understood what my Dad had experienced during the invasion of Normandy during WWII. He had survived a horrific battle and never once talked about the atrocities he witnessed that day!

My Dad and many others came home from the war to start living their lives - the American dream! This is what they fought for, the American Dream. Like most of those men and some women, my dad returned home and married, had his home built and started his family. My Dad might have talked to other men who served in WWII about what he did and saw but he never told us anything! About one or two years ago my Dad was interviewed by a man who was writing a book on Veterans of WWII. My Dad told him that when he left the service they were told not talk about the war. He never did until these last few years. I always thought he didn’t want to remember it, but he said they were ordered not to discuss it.

All those who fought in WWII dealt with it in their own way and moved on with their lives. The government never provided them with benefits for serving their country. They were able to apply for a VA loan if they qualified but that was it. When they left the service, they were on their own. They thought fighting in WWII would make the world safe and wars would never have to be fought again. They served to ensure we could all live good lives. These men and women who served were truly the greatest generation!

Over the past years my Dad has been honored for his service. Different groups look for WWII Veterans to be remembered on this day. Dad said it was nice to be interviewed and to participate in some events. One group of organizers had a baseball type card made with my Dad’s Army photo and bio, he’s been on the news, an amusement park had my Dad and all his family spend the day riding rides and having lunch, another group had his house painted and then a writer interviewed him for a WWII Veterans book he is writing.

My Dad is now 104 years old. He has slowed down and is bedridden; somedays he is forgetful and now he is starting to refuse to eat. He still enjoys talking about his siblings, mother, father and grandmother. He doesn’t remember that all those family members have died. My Dad has provided amazing examples of how he’s lived his life and the things he has done for others. Good examples for us to follow.

Thank you, Dad, for serving our country, coming home, marrying Mom and starting our family! We are happy to be your children!