Anderson, Steele, Doty honored for service
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| Harold Steele (from left), Charlie Doty and Willis Anderson were honored at a ceremony for World War II veterans at Cantigny Park in Wheaton on June 6, the 65th anniversary of D-Day. Both Doty and Anderson landed on the Normandy beaches on D-Day. (Photo contributed) |
WHEATON — Sixty-five years ago, they were young men, strong and straight of body, and willing to risk their lives for their country.
Today, the men are no longer young and strong, but that love of country continues to burn just as brightly.
On June 6, three Bureau County World War II veterans took part in a ceremony at the First Division Museum at Cantigny Park in Wheaton to commemorate the 65th anniversary of D-Day. Charlie Doty of Princeton and Willis Anderson of Tiskilwa, both of whom landed on the beaches of Normandy that day, and Harold Steele of Dover, who fought in the Battle of the Bulge, were three of the almost 500 veterans to attend the service.
It all began with Princeton veteran Terry Charbonneau. Charbonneau, who goes to Cantigny the first Wednesday of every month for its lecture series, learned about the ceremony and wanted to spread the word.
“I went to an American Legion pancake breakfast and took some literature with me,” he said.
None of the veterans knew anything about Cantigny, so Charbonneau explained the museum and what would be happening on June 6. And then he made an offer too good to refuse.
“They were hesitant when I offered because they don’t want to impose,” Charbonneau said. “So I said, “I’m going, you can ride with me.”
Charbonneau ended up driving Anderson and Steele, and Doty came up with his son.
“It was fun listening to them talk,” Charbonneau said. “They talked more about farming than the war.”
For the services, the D-Day veterans had the front seats, followed by the rest of the World War II veterans, and then the rest of the audience. The names of each of the D-Day veterans were called, and the men stood on the stage during a service to unveil an original 1943 LCVP, a Landing Craft Vehicle and Personnel transport that was found in Normandy and completely restored.
Anderson said he enjoyed the day very much and called it more of a celebration than a memorial. Anderson served on a Landing Ship Tank during the war, and landed at Normandy on D-Day. His ship, the LST-311, also called the "Lucky Survivor," made 35 trips across the English Channel.
Anderson said he enjoyed the dedication of the LCVP. He said the LCVPs are seen often in war movies and called them the “spearhead” of the American Army.
“It was very nice to be honored on something like that,” he said.
Doty said the day was “quite wonderful.”
Doty was in the Army during the war and landed on Utah Beach on D-Day, also in an LST. He especially enjoyed seeing the LCVP.
“When I landed in Italy, it was on a boat just like the one dedicated,” he said.
For Steele, who served in the Navy during World War II, the opportunity to see the LCVP was one of the main reasons he wanted to attend the event.
“It was very emblematic of individuals and groups who won’t let people forget what soldiers have given,” Steele said.
Steele also enjoyed touring the museum's collections of war memorabilia and said he was glad to have been part of the whole experience.
“It was a very, very significant day of memorial and gratitude,” he said.
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