President Biden and his friends were in Normandy to remember when Allied troops invaded Nazi-held France 80 years ago. Meanwhile, in Atlantic City, they’re getting ready to show off the Bernie Friedenberg World War II Memorial. It’s to honor a local veteran who was one of the first soldiers on Omaha Beach that day.
Around 14 years ago, a man named Sgt. Bernard Friedenberg, also known as Bernie, was recognized by the former Governor of New Jersey, Jon Corzine. Corzine made a law to start the Veterans Oral History Foundation. Its job was to collect stories from veterans in New Jersey.
Corzine said Bernie didn’t follow all the rules to join the military. When Bernie was 20 and studying at Temple University, he wanted to join right after Pearl Harbor.
Bernie’s daughter, Susan, loves sharing her dad’s story. He was one of the first to land on Omaha Beach and was a medic, helping wounded soldiers while dodging bullets. He got many awards for his bravery, including Purple Hearts, Silver Stars, and Bronze Medals.
To remember Bernie and all World War II veterans, Atlantic City is showing the Bernie Friedenberg World War II Memorial. It took six years to make and includes a bronze statue of a soldier helping another soldier. Susan thinks it’s just like her dad, who would have liked it a lot.
This memorial is to honor those who sacrificed on D-Day, especially brave medics like Bernie Friedenberg.