"That's Grandpa!," I cried excitedly as I stared in wonder at the plaque
Jen Ingraham
blondie.ingraham@gmail.com
For years, I have desired to know more about what my grandpa experienced when he bravely volunteered to prepare the beaches of Normandy for the arrival of the Allied troops on D-Day. I have heard, read, and watched accounts of how Cpl. Harvey S. Olson, along with three other men armed with only their knives, swam ashore the Saint-Marcouf Islands under the cover of darkness to clear the area of enemy mines. Yet I wanted to see the land, hear the waves, and feel the wind that tried to thwart his two mile swim. This journey brought me to the beaches of Normandy. As I stepped off the bus at Utah Beach, my heart pounded in anticipation and dread. I knew that after clearing the Saint-Marcouf Islands, Grandpa went on to fight at Utah Beach. My feet were about to step on the same sand that Grandpa had stood on over eight decades earlier. But first, I wanted to explore the museum. I studied the original map used by the troops in June 1944. I looked at the bullet casings from the MG 42 machine guns whose rounds had rained down on Grandpa and his fellow troops. I walked around one of the landing craft that had carried thousands of men to the beaches, many of whom would never see another day. I looked out the museum windows there at Utah Beach to see the Saint-Marcouf Islands. Tears filled my eyes as I thought about Grandpa and the other three men swimming against the waves through the darkness, not knowing what awaited them. Those four men were the first of the seaborne troops to land on the beaches. In fact, Grandpa is credited as the first seaborne American to step foot on French soil on June 6, 1944. My heart swelled with emotion as I watched the waves pound against the shore. I was filled with thankfulness for the freedoms I currently enjoy because of the great sacrifice that took place at this battle and so many others. I have always been proud of Grandpa’s bravery and selflessness, but standing in the very place where he had fought for freedom- for people like me whom he had never met- made my tears flow. I glanced down to wipe them away, and my eyes caught on a familiar photograph. There, beneath the windows overlooking the Saint -Marcouf Islands, was a picture of Grandpa staring back at me. “That’s Grandpa!,” I cried. I had no idea that the Musée du Débarquement at Utah Beach, honored my grandpa. Grandpa’s mission and subsequent award of the Silver Star is featured there for future generations to appreciate. What a blessing to stand on the beaches of Normandy! It was also humbling to walk among the rows of white crosses and Stars of David at the Normandy American Cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach. Each marker represents a life sacrificed for the sake of freedom. If you are able, I would encourage you to make the journey to Normandy. It is important to remember the sacrifices these men and women made and the freedoms they fought to protect. Standing where history happened brings a new perspective. I promise that your heart will be moved.
Greenbush High School class of 1956 held 70 year class reunion
The Greenbush High School Class of 1956 held a class reunion on August 1, 2026 at the Greenbush American Legion. Thirteen classmates with three spouses and three others with children attended. The 87, 88 and 89 year old classmates came from Columbia Falls, MT; Rapid City SD; Wisconsin; Duluth; Thief River Falls; Karlstad; Badger and Greenbush. Some had not seen one another since graduation, 70 years ago, One optimist suggested another reunion in five years. Thank you to the Greenbush Legion for the space and for setting up chairs and tables. Thank you also to Annettte Stephens for taking the photo.