Boy Scouts will visit site of D-Day landing

The members of Auburn Boy Scout Troop 11 are raising money to take a trip to Normandy next summer in honor of the D-Day invasion some 66 years ago. The boys will spend a week in France visiting memorials and gravesites of World War II soldiers.

"It's important for these young men to learn what the greatest generation did to save this country from Nazi Germany and the warlords of Japan," said Mike Speakman, Kiwanis Club Boy Scout chair, whose son Landon is in the troop. The Auburn Kiwanis Club sponsors the troop.

"And as Boy Scouts, we have tremendous respect for anyone who served, especially those who served in combat and didn't make it back home," Speakman said.

The boys will first stay four nights at Le Chateau de Vouilly in Vouilly, northwest of Paris. The American Press Corps stayed at the chateau after the Allies invaded France in 1944.

While in Vouilly, the boys will visit Pointe du Hoc, the cliff-top location where U.S. Army Rangers attacked Germans, as well as the village of St. Mary Eglise, where U.S. Army paratroopers landed. They will also tour the American Cemetery above Omaha Beach; the Brittany-American Cemetery in St. James; the German Cemetery in La Cambe and the island monastery of Mont Saint-Michel.

Then they'll spend two nights in Paris, visiting the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower.

The highlight of the trip will be Omaha Beach, also known as "Bloody Omaha," and Utah Beach, where U.S. troops first stormed ashore in 1944. Speakman, who has previously visited Normandy, said the surrealism of looking at graves of fallen soldiers person could bring tears to anyone's eyes. The Scouts have learned about the history of the invasion and are eagerly waiting the trip next March, Speakman said.

"History has a way of repeating itself, so we think it's important for them to learn about what happened," Speakman said. "Hopefully the kids can learn from and gain attributes from the men who served in World War II and apply it to their own lives."

The trip was Speakman's idea. He said he got the idea from a Scouting magazine, and then took his family on the trip. He was so impressed that he approached Scoutmaster Matt Schulze about taking the whole troop, which consists of boys ranging in age from 12 to 16. Now they've got to raise the money to go.

This will be Troop 11's first trip outside the United States since its establishment in 1940. "I'm so excited to go to Normandy, where a lot of American troops gave their lives for freedom, said 12-year-old Seth Almond. "It should be a lot different to experience firs thand than from a textbook."

Speakman said the boys in the troop are known for their avid backpacking and boating activities, which has earned them the nickname "Boots and Boats." He said they are always up for an adventure, and this trip would be the perfect first-hand experience for them.

Two local personalities saw the D-Day invasion first-hand. The late Lt. Gil Rollins was there on June 6 when his infantry stormed Omaha Beach, said his widow, Fran Rollins. An unseen sandbar prevented the 31-man platoon from reaching the shore, she said.

When the soldiers, including Rollins, got into the water, the enemy opened fire, showering most of the men in the infantry with bullets, Fran Rollins said. Four men survived.

"I think it's wonderful that they're going I think they are getting a great education form it," Rollins said. "He (her husband) would be real proud them. This trip would be great for anyone to go on."

Auburn's legendary coach Ralph "Shug" Jordan was also there that day.

Speakman is asking for donations to help fund the trip. Alabama Power and Vulcan Materials Corp. are both making contributions.

Speakman said some of the money would be financial aid for the boys whose families couldn't afford the entire cost of the trip.

The troop also will be selling tickets for the Kiwanis' annual pancake breakfast to help cover some of the costs.

Speakman said the group would appreciate any donations that could be made to help the boys make the trip next summer.

For more information, contact Speakman at (334) 821-0091.