CRICQUEVILLE-EN-BESSIN, France — Max Cleland was the keynote speaker but not the reason for the occasion.
As the former U.S. Senator from Georgia, now in charge of America’s overseas military cemeteries and memorials, dedicated a new visitors center at Pointe du Hoc in Normandy, he addressed the four Army Rangers in the small audience of VIPs who climbed these cliffs 70 years ago on the critical mission to take out German artillery.
“The rest of us who did not go through that experience have only admiration,” he said. Later, Cleland added: “We are here today to make sure that here at Pointe du Hoc, the world does not forget the deeds that were done here.”
Cleland, the secretary of the American Battle Monuments Commission, has a whirlwind week as world leaders, veterans and history buffs descend on Normandy to mark Friday’s 70th anniversary of the D-Day invasion. Thursday’s ceremony was a warm-up for Friday’s massive celebration down the road at Omaha Beach, featuring President Barack Obama and French president Francois Hollande. Cleland will be there to greet them.
On Thursday he cut a ribbon along with other dignitaries to open the visitors center and chatted with attendees — including Sally and Bruce Bobick, of Carrollton, who introduced themselves as “longtime Georgia Democrats.” A high school band from North Carolina played patriotic tunes in the background.
When asked if he was enjoying all the pomp and circumstance, Cleland said with a chuckle. “No, because I’m responsible for some of it.” He added, “But it will be my honor to be a part of it.”
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