ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — More than 2,000 American troops paid the ultimate sacrifice 80 years ago. Those that remember landing on the beaches of Normandy recall it like it was yesterday. One World War II veteran, who lives in the Capital Region, was present for NEWS10’s special screening of “D-Day: The Greatest Victory.”
“People forget so easy,” said Julius Boreali, who was an eyewitness to history itself in 1944.
Boreali landed on the beachhead and faced the German bombardment. “I was there, you know. Just brought back a lot of memories, means a lot to me,” he said, “It was 80 years ago that I was there, and I’m still on earth to look at these films from days past.”
Sitting alongside him for the advanced screening was his son Fred Boreali. “He talks about seeing those cliffs and watching guys climb the cliffs and being shot,” Fred stated. “For him, it’s a memory that’s repeated a number of times. Always with a great deal of sadness.”
Fred watched as others recounted a different story of their family history unfolding. “I was also very touched by the woman whose father had died and she knew nothing about him and then searched for him and found he had died on Omaha Beach.”
The last surviving members of the Greatest Generation have all approached or surpassed 100. As they mark their victory on the beaches of Normandy 80 years later, their lessons and legacy will always remain timeless. “One of the most poignant things my father has talked about was the fear that you were going into a battle,” said Fred.
A generation that put service to country above all else. “It’s good they do things like this, showing people what happened, the sacrifices, the soldiers and sailors did at the time,” his father said.
The grief and celebration captured through first-hand accounts was featured in the documentary filmed in Normandy “D-Day: The Greatest Victory.”