In April Howard Ferguson and his neighbor Richard Hollie took a trip to France to the beaches of Normandy, a place where Howard had been before.

Howard was born in Farmville 87 years ago when it was a small college town with tree lined streets and large houses with wrap around porches, a place “where everybody knows your name” type of town. He graduated from Farmville High School and attended V.P.I. He joined the Army when he was 18 and was suddenly in a group of people where nobody new his name.

The time was World War II and his unit was sent to France. On June 6, 1944, they became part of the invasion of Normandy, “D-Day, The Longest Day.” There were hundreds of Allied and American ships in the harbor. Thousands of men were carried, in unarmed boats, from ship to shore with 20 to 30 pound packs on their backs, all the while being fired upon by German forces from the Cliffs above the beaches. More than 9,000 American men lost their lives there.

Howard was discharged in 1948, and on December 24 he stepped off the bus at the old Hotel and Continental Bus Depot on Main Street in Farmville. After more than three years he was home for Christmas.

It has been 70 years since D-Day, a day that some don’t want to remember but find it hard to forget. What Howard found on his return trip was calm waters, no ships in the harbor, quietness and beauty. He says he is glad he went back.