06/07/2026
🇺🇸 Remembering D-Day | Saluting 25 Years 🇫🇷
As the National D-Day Memorial marks its silver anniversary, we pause to honor 25 years of preserving the legacy of courage, sacrifice, and unwavering dedication displayed on June 6, 1944.
Today, we remember the heroes who faced unimaginable odds to secure freedom for generations to come. Their stories—of valor, fidelity, and resilience—continue to inspire and remind us of the true cost of liberty.
We pay special tribute to Charles Norman Shay, and to the more than 500 American and Canadian Indigenous soldiers who took part in Operation Neptune—the Allied invasion that began the liberation of Normandy.
Among them were approximately 175 American Indians who stormed Omaha Beach, serving in critical roles as medics, scouts, snipers, radio operators, artillery gunners, engineers, and more. Their contributions were essential—and too often overlooked.
One such hero, Private Charles Norman Shay, a proud member of the Penobscot Nation, was just 19 years old when he landed on Omaha Beach. Known as MohsskWesosis (“Little Muskrat”), he served as a combat medic with extraordinary bravery.
Under relentless fire, Shay repeatedly plunged into the surf to rescue wounded soldiers—carrying them to safety through chaos and danger. For his selfless heroism, he was awarded the Silver Star, continuing to save lives throughout the war.
His story—and the stories of so many others—remind us that courage knows no bounds, and sacrifice has no equal.
💙 On this 25th anniversary, we honor not only a moment in history—but a legacy that must never be forgotten.