Photo by AF Master Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo

U.S. soldiers begin a 21-gun salute during ceremonies at the American Cemetery at Omaha Beach in Normandy, France.  The celebration honored service members who fought during what has been described as one of the most decisive battles of  World War II. 

Photo by AF Master Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo

Christian Verdeaux, a French citizen dressed in a period American World War II dress uniform, kneels in front of the grave of an American soldier killed during the D-Day liberation of France on June 6, 1944.

Photo by AF Master Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo

President Barack Obama shakes the hand of Ben Franklin as Prince Charles from Great Britain looks on during ceremonies commemorating the 65th Anniversary of D-Day. Franklin was one of the soldiers who stormed Omaha Beach during the early morning hours of June 6, 1944.

Photo by AF Master Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo

U.S. paratroopers from bases in Italy and the U.S. re-enact airborne operations that took place behind enemy lines during D-Day operations in Normandy, France.  Thousands of spectators lined the fields near the village of St. Mere Eglise, the first town to be liberated by allied troops.

Photo by AF Master Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo

Soldiers representing the U.S., Canada, Great Britain and France form a flag presentation prior to the start of a ceremony commemorating the 65th anniversary of D-Day at the American cemetery at Omaha Beach in Normandy, France.

Photo by AF Master Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo

An American soldier greets D-Day re-enactors from the Netherlands in the town of St. Mere Eglise, the first town liberated by the allies on June 6, 1944.

Photo by AF Master Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo

After parachuting into the same area as their airborne counterparts on D-Day in June of 1944, U.S. airborne soldiers line up for a ceremony with officials from the town of St. Mere Eglise. 

Photo by AF Master Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo

An American airborne soldier glides into the jump zone in front of thousands of spectators to end a week-long ceremony at St. Mere Eglise, France commemorating the 65th anniversary of D-Day.

Photo by AF Master Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo

American soldiers are matched up with families from the St. Mere Eglise area in Normandy, France for a night of socializing and dinner.  Four to five service members were taken by each family for the evening to celebrate liberation by American troops on June 6, 1944.

Photo by AF Master Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo

Army Sgt. Robert C. Jones III, a military policeman originally from Summerville, was involved with the recent 65th Commemoration of D-Day in Normandy, France.  He was one of more than 1,000 service members from bases throughout Europe and the U.S. who helped support the week-long celebrations.

NORMANDY, France - Senior leaders often call the son of a Summerville couple, and those who serve with him, a part of the next "greatest generation."

Army Sgt. Robert C. Jones III, son of Robert C. Jones Jr. and Kathy Jones of Travelers Rest Blvd., recently traveled to now-silenced battlefields with names like Omaha and Utah Beaches to observe the 65th Commemoration of D-Day.

Service members 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.

Jones, a military policeman, 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 Barack 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 role in the ceremony was to provide transportation assistance to the veterans who were in attendance," said Jones, a 2003 graduate of Fort Dorchester High School, North Charleston.

For Jones, 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.

"For me, the area is awe-inspiring.  When you walk along the beach and look up at the hilltops, you can see some of the old bunkers, and you get a feel for what the soldiers, sailors, and Marines were facing.  It takes a special person to be able to face and accept the task they were given, but they did so, willingly.  Up around Pointe du Hoc, you see the massive amount of obstacles the rangers faced, and it really gives you a feeling of respect, gratitude, and honor," said Jones.  

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.

"The area reminds me of Myrtle Beach or Folly Beach, S.C.  The combination of beach town and historic city make an awesome atmosphere.  The people treat you like celebrities.  Everywhere you go, people want to shake your hand and take pictures with you. Little kids wave at you, and they get so excited when you wave back," said Jones.

Jones is normally stationed in Bamberg, Germany, with the 630th Military Police Company, where he works as a military policeman.  He has served in the Army for almost three years, but has not yet deployed.

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