At least two South Shore veterans of the Second World War will be honored later this spring by the government of France during ceremonies marking the 70-th anniversary of D-Day. The French Legion of Honor will be bestowed on Bridgewater area residents Frank Hammond and Ralph Hebb. Hammond was in one of the landing craft at Juno Beach while Hebb was an infantryman seeking out German resisters in France at the time. Both are now in their 90's and the governments of France, Britain and Canada are expected to look after their flights and accomodations in France during the ceremonies on June 6. Bridgewater Legion spokesman and veteran Roger Parnell believes all D-Day vets should be honored by France and he says even present day forces members are important too.
This year is also the 100-th anniversary of the start of the First World War and ceremonies are planned in August at Vimy Ridge and Passchendaele, France.
