A Maplewoodian Remembers His Dad and D-Day

This Sunday marks the 66th anniversary of D-Day. My father landed on Omaha Beach at 6:10 in the morning. So did scores of thousands of American, Canadian and British soldiers.

Having stood several times at the landing point of those forsaken French beaches, I can attest to the power of seeing German Field Marshall Rommel's beach fortifications, half overturned German half-tracks and Sherman tanks strewn across the sands, as a reminder of what happened that day.

In this place began the liberation of Europe, and it pays tribute to what America does at its best.

My father never spoke of the deeds he did that day—but I have his Silver Star (in true Mecca fashion, he lost his Bronze Star and Purple Heart somewhere in Berlin) that he was awarded in what the citation read "for outrageous bravery in the face of fire on Omaha Beach June 6, 1944."

I just wanted to remember my dad and all those who fought that day. It forever taught me about leadership and overcoming overwhelming adversity.

On a recent visit to Normandy, when I told the usually reserved French people that my father "COMBATU A DEBARQUEMENT," their faces lit up in smiles. These 60-plus years later in towns and cities like Arromanche, St. Mere Eglise, Grandcamp and Caen, there are still signs that read, "Welcome to our American liberators."

Someday I will bring my daughters, Lily and Annabelle, to swim in these waters of the now peaceful English Channel. I think my father would like that.

Brian Mecca is a facility supervisor at NYU's Department of Athletics. He has lived in Maplewood for three years. His father Joseph Mecca was a caption in the 3rd Calvary, the division started by General George Armstrong Custer. On June 6, 1944, Capt. Joseph Mecca landed at Omaha Beach with 72 men in his boat.