AUBURN - On perhaps the most dangerous day among many during World War II, the members of the 299th Combat Engineer Battalion were among the first to land in western France.
Angela Kershner / The Citizen
Combat veteran Tony DeTomaso looks on as state Sen. Mike Nozzolio speaks during the 299th Combat Engineers D-Day commemoration in front of the Cayuga County Office Building in Auburn Friday.
Combat veteran Tony DeTomaso looks on as state Sen. Mike Nozzolio speaks during the 299th Combat Engineers D-Day commemoration in front of the Cayuga County Office Building in Auburn Friday.
Their job was to clear the Normandy beach of obstacles so that the invading Allied troops, and their armored battlements, could begin the end of the war.
That was 63 years ago next week. On Friday, in front of the Cayuga County Office Building in Auburn, surviving members of the 299th who grew up in the local area gathered again for their annual commemoration.
Tony DeTomaso was only 19 when he and his fellow soldiers cleared the beach of steel-beam tripods and Belgian Gates - enormous steel structures that were buried in the sand.
“We had to get rid of those so our jeeps and other vehicles could get through,” said DeTomaso, whose unit was on the beach about 15 minutes past schedule because extremely rough weather “took some of our ships and moved them around and put them in other places where they weren't supposed to be.”
Still a teenager, DeTomaso said he felt little fear when that historic morning first began.
“I wasn't scared because I didn't know any better. But when I hit the beach and saw a GI with a hole in his head, you better believe I was scared,” he said.
Six Auburn residents in the 299th Combat Engineer Battalion died in the D-Day invasion.
Mayor Timothy Lattimore read a proclamation from the city council recognizing those in the 299th who served their country and honored the six who “sacrificed their lives so all of us here today could be free and live in peace.”
Councilor David Dempsey recalled a trip he made to Normandy a few years ago. He encouraged those in attendance to make a visit, as well.
“If you ever get a chance, it's a special place that you should all see,” Dempsey said.
Auburn City Manager Mark Palesh, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, spent two tours in Vietnam.
“For those of you who like to hear stories about the war, you're not going to get a lot of them,” Palesh said. “Most of us who've been to war don't talk about it much because until you've experienced, it's hard to describe.”
About 75 people attended Friday's noon ceremony.
“The world would be under the rule of dictators if it wasn't for the courage of these brave men who risked their lives to defend our liberty,” said State Sen. Michael Nozzolio, R, Fayette. “It's been stated that memory is the most sincere form of honor,” added Nozzolio, who singled out Dom Spano and DeTomaso for their work on organizing the annual event and “for keeping the memory of the 299th alive in Auburn.
After the speeches, DeTomaso's grandson -- who is also named Tony -- played “Taps.” The 19-year-old, a student at Cayuga Community College, has played his trumpet at the commemoration for the past three years.
That was 63 years ago next week. On Friday, in front of the Cayuga County Office Building in Auburn, surviving members of the 299th who grew up in the local area gathered again for their annual commemoration.
Tony DeTomaso was only 19 when he and his fellow soldiers cleared the beach of steel-beam tripods and Belgian Gates - enormous steel structures that were buried in the sand.
“We had to get rid of those so our jeeps and other vehicles could get through,” said DeTomaso, whose unit was on the beach about 15 minutes past schedule because extremely rough weather “took some of our ships and moved them around and put them in other places where they weren't supposed to be.”
Still a teenager, DeTomaso said he felt little fear when that historic morning first began.
“I wasn't scared because I didn't know any better. But when I hit the beach and saw a GI with a hole in his head, you better believe I was scared,” he said.
Six Auburn residents in the 299th Combat Engineer Battalion died in the D-Day invasion.
Mayor Timothy Lattimore read a proclamation from the city council recognizing those in the 299th who served their country and honored the six who “sacrificed their lives so all of us here today could be free and live in peace.”
Councilor David Dempsey recalled a trip he made to Normandy a few years ago. He encouraged those in attendance to make a visit, as well.
“If you ever get a chance, it's a special place that you should all see,” Dempsey said.
Auburn City Manager Mark Palesh, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, spent two tours in Vietnam.
“For those of you who like to hear stories about the war, you're not going to get a lot of them,” Palesh said. “Most of us who've been to war don't talk about it much because until you've experienced, it's hard to describe.”
About 75 people attended Friday's noon ceremony.
“The world would be under the rule of dictators if it wasn't for the courage of these brave men who risked their lives to defend our liberty,” said State Sen. Michael Nozzolio, R, Fayette. “It's been stated that memory is the most sincere form of honor,” added Nozzolio, who singled out Dom Spano and DeTomaso for their work on organizing the annual event and “for keeping the memory of the 299th alive in Auburn.
After the speeches, DeTomaso's grandson -- who is also named Tony -- played “Taps.” The 19-year-old, a student at Cayuga Community College, has played his trumpet at the commemoration for the past three years.
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David Edersheim wrote on Jun 2, 2007 6:50 PM: