Seventy-two years ago today, the Normandy Landings began – what’s commonly known now as D-Day, in World War II. WGVU learns more about a unique tribute to veterans here in west Michigan.
"So that’s the actual flag that flew on the ship during (the) Normandy invasion."
Scott Grant is board president of the LST 393 Veterans Museum in Muskegon.
"There was normally about 130 [people on board] for the crew of the ship. But then they (also) carried all the tank crew and anyone else that needed to be transported. So they could have up to about 500 people. And this (also) carried about 5,000 POW’s back across the Atlantic."
The LST stands for Landing, Ship, Tank, and it’s one of only a handful in the world in its class that survived true to original form.
"After the war, this ship was used as Highway 16, which was a car carrier from Muskegon to Milwaukee. At the late 70’s it finished its runs and was docked at the end of the pier here. Nobody knew it was an LST because they had welded the front doors closed.
"Somebody in the mid 90’s was on it and figured out it was an LST. (They) got a group together, started to restore it. Cut the bay doors open, opened it up. And got everything together – we’ve been open about ten years now."
The LST 393 was assigned to the European Theater in World War II.
Grant says it was part of several operations including multiple trips across the channel during the Normandy invasion. It earned three wartime battle stars.
"Last D-Day, we had World War II vets that were 90-plus years old that were going all four decks. Giving people tours.
"They knew more about what was going on than I did – because they had been on these ships. They could tell stories about when they were in the war."
The ship, along with its duties as a museum, is a connecting point for veterans, historians and families, hosting everything from veteran job fairs to memorial events.
On Armed Forces Day this May, it welcomed several thousand visitors throughout the day and into the evening.
Jerry Lindquist traveled from Miami, Indiana to attend, dressed as a member of the Army’s 29th Infantry Division.
"When (the division) landed on Omaha Beach, they were massacred. They were almost completely wiped out. And if it wasn’t for the Navy coming in with their Destroyers at point-blank range, the invasion would’ve collapsed."
Lindquist didn’t serve – he tried, he says, but had bad legs. He honors his brother, his father, and other veterans today through these reenactments and with a mobile museum he brings into schools, churches, anywhere he’s asked.
"The younger generation has to know the price that we paid for our freedoms and our rights."
Ahead of the museum’s seasonal opening this May, a group of volunteers got together for a weekend to work on restoration.
"We re-welded the gang plank to get up on the top deck that was crushed over the winter. We have a couple more plates and stuff we have to weld on the top deck, and then we’re going to get the stairs installed."
That’s Chris Johnson, with Rolling Thunder Michigan Chapter 4 of Muskegon, a non-profit veterans’ advocacy organization.
"I’m a U.S. Navy veteran, 2003 to 2008. I served in Afghanistan and Iraq, three different tours.
"I got involved with vets because I wanted to give back, and I’m tired of everybody getting treated like we just don’t exist anymore."
Grant says the museum’s thousands of artifacts also include references of everyday life for those across America.
"So Teledyne in town, and different places that made the piston rings, and all the war effort factories, they would send these flyers out ... [E]very week they’d post ‘em in the factory, and the factory workers could see what’s going on in the war."
Grant says the museum makes war real. And along with honoring those who served, it’s important to remember what it was like.
The museum is open until October, and you can learn more at LST393.org.
