Remembering D-day from La Porte to New Orleans

LA PORTE, TX (KTRK) -- Hundreds of people stood under the warm sun on the USS Texas to honor 33 veterans Friday morning.

Howard Mills says his memory is vivid. He was actually on the ship as it provided essential support to Allied troops on Utah Beach.

"It was quite a deal. We had a lot of fun, a lot of sorrow and a lot of everything," Mills said. "I'm just sorry there isn't more of our crew here. I wish there more of our crew."

He's one of the veterans receiving France's highest medal of honor and his comes on his 89th birthday.

Meanwhile, hundreds gathered in New Orelans Friday morning at the National World War II Museum to commemorate the 70th anniversary of D-day.

The day began with an H-hour ceremony which was said to be an emotional commemoration of the Allied landings at Normandy at the exact time of the invasion.

Later, 17 veterans were honored for their sacrifices in helping liberate France. They were presented with the French Legion of Honor medals. Among them, Fred Morgan, who was a paratrooper.

He remembers what he was thinking moments before that jump, telling Eyewitness News, "i relived my life a dozen times...you wonder whats going to happen."

Morgan says he only survived because of "luck", telling us "I did get sprayed with shrapnel a couple times but not serious enough to evacuate me."

D-day veterans each have unique stories to tell. Each feels lucky to have survived. They are thankful for the recognition given them Friday.

According to statistics from the Veterans Administration, approximately 550 World War II veterans are dying every day. There's only about 1.2 million left of the 16 million who served. Some worry about the magnitude of their sacrifice being forgotten once they are gone.

Letter from General Dwight D. Eisenhower

Below is the letter Eisenhower sent to all soldiers, sailors and airmen 70 years ago.

You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers-in-arms on other Fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world.

Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely.

But this is the year 1944! Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of 1940-41. The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats, in open battle, man-to-man. Our air offensive has seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on the ground. Our Home Fronts have given us an overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions of war, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men. The tide has turned! The free men of the world are marching together to Victory!

I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full Victory!

Good Luck! and Let us all beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.

Dwight D. Eisenhower