Patriots Point to Host Special Ceremony for Visitors from the First French Town Liberated In WWII, Sainte-Mère-Église

On Sunday, Aug. 31 the Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum will host a special ceremony for 20 French citizens who are visiting Charleston from the Town of Sainte-Mère-Église in Normandy, France.

Sainte-Mère-Église was the first French town to be liberated from Nazi Germany by U.S. troops in World War II after D-Day. Several people in the visiting group were children during the invasion and are now members of the Association for Veterans of America (AVA). The association provides host families for American veterans who return to visit Sainte-Mère-Église. In addition, the AVA also protects and maintains American gravesites and memorials all across Normandy.

“We are honored to have the opportunity to welcome the Town of Sainte-Mère-Église to Patriots Point,” said Executive Director Mac Burdette. “These men and women work very hard to preserve the history and memories of Americans who paid the ultimate price for their freedom. I hope our great relationship will continue for many generations to come.”

The Aug. 1 ceremony will begin at 12:30 p.m. inside the USS YORKTOWN’s Hangar Bay III. A wreath will be laid in honor of the men who were killed in battle, and a representative from the town of Mt. Pleasant will welcome Sainte-Mère-Église Mayor Jean Quétier to the city.

This ceremony is part of the Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum’s ongoing efforts to commemorate the 70th anniversary of World War II and the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. French nationals are invited to attend for free. For others, the ceremony will be included in the regular museum admission price.