I visited Normandy in 1994. Stood on the beaches. Visited some museums. Saw the hedgerows those guys parachuted into. We saw some of the "gliders" many of the troops landed in. Saw the town of St. Lo, where one paratrooper got hung up on the bell tower of the local church.
And, finally, we visited several of the U.S. cemeteries in France and Luxembourg. Supposedly it isn't "manly" for grown men to cry, but I defy anyone with a heart to go there, see what those men faced, and then stand in the midst of those seas of white crosses 9and Stars of David) and not cry.
I am very glad Mr. Beardan finally received the recognition he so richly earned.