Senior leaders often call the daughter of a Brillion man, and those who serve with her, a part of the next "greatest generation."

Army Staff Sgt. Ashley E. Camomilli, daughter of Todd Wyngaard of Harvestore Road, recently traveled to now silenced battlefields with names like Omaha and Utah Beaches to observe the 65th Commemoration of D-Day. They were there to honor those who were a part of that "greatest generation" who served in one of the bloodiest and most decisive battles in world history.

    Camomilli, a military police specialist, and more than 1,000 service members from posts and bases throughout Europe and the U.S., converged on the historic Normandy area to honor those who served, and in many cases made the ultimate sacrifice, on June 6, 1944.  Week-long ceremonies took place throughout the region in such historic places as St. Mere Eglise, Omaha and Utah Beaches and small villages in the area that were vital to the success of the allies push into Europe against Nazi Germany.

    President Obama met with leaders from Great Britain, France and Canada at a special ceremony at the American Cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach.  Celebrations at small towns throughout Normandy were capped by a parachute demonstration from airborne paratroopers representing many of the units involved with the D-Day operations.

    "My specific job in the D-Day ceremony was as a member of the Honor Cordon.  I was honored to have the opportunity to pay respects to the soldiers who actually fought and died for freedom 65 years ago," said Camomilli.

    For Camomilli, it was hard to imagine that the tranquil farming villages and pristine beaches were once the scene of carnage and destruction that took the lives of more than 4,000 Americans in just one day.

      "The bunkers along the beach and at Pointe du Hoc made the greatest impact on me because as a soldier you realized how small your odds of survival on D-Day really were," said Camomilli.   

      Today, the 360 miles of coastline that makes up Normandy is mostly lush farmland, bustling market towns and historic landmarks that commemorate important battles that took place more than six decades ago.  The residents of the area have never forgotten the sacrifices of the Americans who fought here and embrace today's soldiers just as heartily as those who liberated them.

      "Normandy is beautiful and peaceful now.  It's an absolutely surreal experience to look out on Omaha Beach.  The food is different - a lot of seafood - but not like you'd find in the United States," said Camomilli.

      Camomilli is normally stationed in Heidelberg, Germany, with the 529th Military Police Company, where she works as a military police specialist.  She has served in the Army for five years and has had a deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Written By Rich Lamance

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