344th bomb group : Frank Carrozza Receives the Jubilee of Liberty Medal

Frank Carrozza Receives the Jubilee of Liberty Medal

Medal of Jubilee of Liberty

The Jubilee of Liberty Medal was authorized by the Regional Council of Normandy to pay tribute to the men and women who fought in Normandy to restore freedom to the French people. Originally these medals were minted by the Monnaie deParis and were presented only to those veterans who went back to Normandy for the 50th Anniversary of the D-Day landings.

The Governor of the Nornandy region has authorized that the Medal of the Jubilee of Liberty may now be presented to any Normandy veteran who was part of the invasion between June 6, 1944 and August 31, 1944. He has requested that the medal be presented in person and at an appropriate ceremony.

On October 30, 2010, Frank Carrozza and nine other WWII veterans were awarded the Jubilee of Liberty Medal for participation in the D-Day Invasion. The medal was originally instituted by the French to thank members of the Allied Forces for liberating their country. To read about Frank’s D-Day experience (he flew 2 missions that day) use these links.

http://shopwornangel.imaginarynumber.net/flight-log/mission-3-june-6-1944-630-a-m-d-day/

and

http://shopwornangel.imaginarynumber.net/flight-log/mission-4-june-6-1944-d-day-2nd-mission/

The award ceremony was held at the American Air Power Museum by the Long Island Air Force Association.

Special guest, Congressman Steve Israel gave and excellent speech and presented the medals.

When you look at the video by following this link look for Frank Carrozza (bald veteran.) Please notice the veteran next to him. He was barely able to sit in his wheel chair and tethered to an oxygen supply. When the colors were shown he was bound and determined to stand in respect of the flag and their fallen comrades. Helped by an on-looker the hero stood. I was thinking about some of the students in my classes that feel “put out” when I require them to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioQbr3INXF4

Here are a few pictures from the event.