In commemoration of the upcoming 70^th anniversary of the Normandy landings, U.S. Representative Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, joined local officials and business leaders this afternoon at Fisherman’s Park in Benton Harbor to recognize the service of World War II veteran Larry Michal. Upton praised Michal and all those of the Greatest Generation for their service to the nation.

“Almost seven decades ago and in the prime of his life, Larry Michal found himself some 4,000 miles away from home on the eve of one of the most storied attacks in modern history,” Upton said. “Like so many of his generation, he was not fighting for fame, riches, or glory, but simply because his nation needed him. We are so proud and grateful for the service of veterans like Larry and we continue to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice and never returned home to their loved ones.”

Ninety-year-old Michal served as an Intelligence NCO as part of the 82^nd Airborne, 508 Parachute Infantry. The unit participated in Operation Overlord, jumping into Normandy at 2:15 a.m. on June 6, 1944. Michal was the first to jump out of his plane during the airborne assault, landing in four feet of water with heavy wind, which nearly drowned him. Michal carried the precious maps needed to establish an advance command post.

Michal was wounded in action on June 25, 1944, in Normandy. For his courageous service, he received the Combat Infantry Badge, one Bronze Battle Star, the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon, the Good Conduct Ribbon, and a Purple Heart.

This June, Michal will travel to Normandy, France, with his son Steve for the first time since 1944. They will attend the ceremonies of the 70^th Anniversary of D-Day.  An employee of the Whirlpool Corp. for 29 years, Michal was presented with a check today by Whirlpool’s Veterans Association to assist in paying for his return trip.

Also at today’s ceremony, Upton presented a U.S. Capitol-flown flag to the Lakeshore High School Band of Stevensville, which will also be travelling to Normandy to perform during the D-Day anniversary ceremonies. Band members are planning to take sand from the shores of Lake Michigan and place it on the graves of 750 Michigan residents buried in France. Michal is also to be grand marshal for the 71^st Blossomtime Grand Floral Parade scheduled to start at 1 p.m. Saturday in Benton Harbor/St. Joseph.

“This is a trip of a lifetime, a memory that each of these students will hold onto for the rest of their lives. We are proud of all of their hard work to make this trip happen and know Southwest Michigan will be well-represented. Go Lancers!”