Soldiers assigned to the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) landed in Normandy, France this week to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the World War II Allied invasion of Normandy, commonly known as D-Day.
Fort Campbell officials say 85 soldiers, including many from the world-famous 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, highlighted in the book and TV show “Band Of Brothers”, will participate in a wide range of parades, ceremonies, military, and government events.
Army officials say seventy-five years after D-Day, the 101st Airborne Division continues to stand together with European allies and partners in maintaining a Europe that is whole, free, prosperous and at peace. They indicate this is the most recently seen in their current deployment as “Task Force Carentan” in which 101st Airborne Division soldiers are working to advise and assist the Ukranian Armed Forces with the continued development of the training center in western Ukraine. This initiative, known as the Joint Multinational Training Group — Ukraine, has been ongoing since 2015 and seeks to contribute to Ukraine’s internal defense capabilities and training capacity.
A group of eight representatives from Hopkinsville and Christian County traveled to Carentan, France Monday for the special celebration. In March, a delegation, including the mayor of Carentan, traveled to Hopkinsville to celebrate the 75th Anniversary in which Mayor Carter Hendricks presented the mayor a Commonwealth of Kentucky flag and coin. The group also was treated to several special events and tours and spent time with the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell.