Fort Carson remembers D-Day: June 6, 1944 with living history

Fort Carson 4th Division Infantry Soldiers honored what’s considered one of the most historic events in world history; D-Day.

75 years ago, on June 6th, 1944, allied forces including the U.S. Army were getting ready to land on the beaches of Normandy, France to take back the Nazi-controlled area.

The installation remembered the day with an event that showcased, “living history.” Attendees were able to watch soldiers simulate a tactical arrival from the 1940s.

In the crowd watching it, World War II veteran, Stuart Whitman. He served between 1941-47 and fought in the Battle of the Bulge, months after D-Day.

He says the details are hard to remember, but he recalled coming, “over on a ship, on the Queen Mary with 15,000 other men.”

After watching the Fort Carson Soldiers finish their simulation, he said, “they did a great job.”

Specialist Dvron Chevalier says events like these are so current soldiers don’t forget what happened.

“I feel like people nowadays, especially from my generation don’t see the significance of what people back then had done to sacrifice to get get to where we are now,” he explained.

It was obvious, the equipment and firearms had been upgraded since the 1940s, but Chevalier said some things stay the same.

“The spirit of the soldier. The fact that we’re still one big family is still the same. We both go through hardships and the good times as a family,” Chevalier said.

This big family, including Whitman, left the younger generation with wise words.

Just do the best you can, that’s all I have to say.

For a look at all the historic equipment soldiers used over the years, the 4th ID’s museum is located just outside of gate one.