ELLENTON — Tears slid down Robert Douglas’ face as “Taps” sounded inside the clubhouse at Ridgewood on Monday afternoon.
A friend who stood beside Douglas during the Memorial Day service caught a glimpse of his pain and placed a comforting hand on Douglas’ shoulder until the song ended.
The musical piece, played during U.S. military funerals, hits close to home for Douglas who served in the U.S. Army during the Normandy Invasion of World War II.
On June 6, 1944, also known as D-Day, allied forces landed at Normandy along five sectors, forever to be known as Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword beaches.
Douglas was there at Omaha Beach, which was the most heavily fortified sector at Normandy. American forces suffered horrific casualties at Omaha.
On Monday, Douglas was saluted by veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces and by his Ridgewood neighbors during a Memorial Day ceremony.
About 100 people, many of them retired U.S military and their families, gathered inside the clubhouse for food, fellowship and most importantly, to pay tribute to all U.S. Armed Forces members.
“Still today and throughout the years American men and woman have stepped forward ... with their very lives,” said the ceremony’s emcee Al Young, an Army veteran.
“Our own Rob Douglas was there on that beach,” added Young, who then presented him with an American Flag in appreciation of his service decades ago.
“I lost a few good friends out there,” said Douglas, who is originally from Detroit and has lived in Florida for nine years.
During the ceremony, Army veteran Don Porter gave the invocation and the honor guard, led by Ridgewood resident and Army vet Neil Brown, hoisted three flags: the American, Prisoner of War, and the Florida.
The crowd said the Pledge of Allegiance and sang “God Bless America”.
The honor guard saluted the American Flag as Ridgewood resident Ana Kroll sang the Star Spangled Banner.
Also recognized for his World War II service was Ellenton resident John Murphy.
“We are here honoring our deceased ... and to recognize those who survived,” Murphy said to the audience.
Billl Lonnroth, a Navy seaman from 1944 to 1966, came, like many others, dressed in his uniform.
“It’s fabulous, the day,” he said smiling. “Just to be here to honor our service men and women.”
Ridgewood residents Art and Rose Correira were also in attendance. Art Correria served in the U.S. Air Force from 1953 to 1973 and is a Vietnam vet.
The couple’s son, Kevin Correira joined the U.S. Army after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. He has since served three tours of duty in Iraq, was awarded the Silver Star for valor in combat and twice received the Purple Heart for wounds suffered in battle.
He is now training to be a drill sergeant.
“I’m so proud of him,” his dad said Monday.
Natalie Neysa Alund, reporter, can be reached at 745-7095.
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