VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (NNS) - Assault Craft Unit Two Sailors visited the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Va., June 6, to participate in ceremonies to commemorate the 73rd anniversary of the 1944 Normandy invasion.

The Sailors supported the D-Day Memorial staff by helping to usher World War II veterans and special guests to their seats, provided assistance registering the veterans, and visited with them and special guests during a meet and greet session. They also joined in a wreath-laying as part of the official ceremony.

"It was a moving experience to be in the presence and have conversations with veterans who flew missions over Japan and were survivors of the beach landings at Normandy on June 6,1944," said Chief Electrician's Mate Brian Morse, who led the delegation to the event. "It was an honor to participate in the ceremony and a touching experience to hear Capt. Jerry Yellin's speech."

Yellin, a combat pilot who flew the final WWII mission on August 14, 1945 was the event's guest speaker.

"The speech was both powerful and inspiring," said Hull Technician 3rd Class Paige Tisdell.

"It was an honor to hear his speech and meet the men who stormed the beach during D-Day, 73 years ago. I feel proud to have participated in honoring the surviving service members and those who lost their life on that day."

It was a humbling experience for some junior Sailors who participated in this year's event. Personally meeting service members from the WWII era brought Yeoman 2nd Class Antoine Warner a fond admiration for the warfighters.

"I liked it very much," Warner said recounting the event. "The set-up of the monument at the site was incredible and Capt. Yellin is a great guy. The event was a lot of fun and something I would love to participate in again."

This was the first year Assault Craft Unit Two participated in the event. The command is already making plans to partner with and foster an ongoing relationship with the D-Day Memorial staff. They are coordinating and planning to attend next year's ceremony.

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