BEDFORD (WSLS 10) - Monday was an emotional day in Bedford as hundreds gathered to remember the brave soldiers who fought for our freedom 72 years ago to the day.
Local men and women shared their stories of those who stormed the beaches at Normandy during World War II and talked about the sense of loss the community felt when some didn't make it back home.
For the first time at the National D-Day Memorial, the names of all 2,499 American soldiers, sailors, airmen and coast guardsmen who lost their lives on June 6, 1944 from the Normandy invasion were read aloud.
"Coming on days like today is very emotional," said Dana Draper. Her uncle Frank Draper Jr. died on D-Day. He was one of the 30 Bedford Boys who gave their lives to fight for our freedom. At the age of 17, he sailed off to Normandy, but never made it to the beach.
"He was shot in his arm to where his arm was almost off and he bleed to death," said Draper.
Mack Morris, a former U.S. Army Medic, arrived days after the attack to help the wounded and recover the dead.
"The only thing I could remember, is trying to get off the boat as quick as we could at get to land," recalled Morris.
And others who fought at Omaha Beach were more fortunate than some.
"We were very fortunate. We tore up two boats and we had a crew of four of us, and all four of us made it through the invasion," said Charles Shaeff, who fought at Omaha Beach.
Draper said that on this day she honors her uncle and all of the other service men and women who didn't return from Normandy.