Remembrance

 

James Bird, like many others, unfortunately would not survive the second world war. He died July 17th, 1944 in Basse-Normandie, France and was buried in the American Cemetery of Normandy, France. He was a sergeant at the time of his death with a Purple Heart medal; one of the most honorable badges/medal a soldier can receive as he made a great sacrifice for his country. He died as a young father, never seeing his wife or child again. He made that sacrifice to ensure the safety of the country. 

James Bird's grave stone in Normandy, France. He was buried alongside his brothers who fought with him. 

Normandy American Cemetery, located in Colleville-sur-mer France, is an American cemetery and memorial that is used to honor the Americans who died in Europe during the World WWII effort. It is a vast space, on the site of the temporary St. Laurent American Cemetery. 

The Purple Heart Medal is a medal that is a solemn distinction between soldiers and indicates that a soldier sacrificed themselves greatly in the line of duty for their country, or paid the ultimate price during  their service. It is typically presented to soldiers that have been wounded or killed during battle. 

Eulogy

James Bird, a man who hadn't gained his US citizenship until he was into his thirties, fought tooth and nail for his country and paid the ultimate price for it; death. He died for a country that he loved and cherished, a country that he had immigrated to at a young age. He fought for his wife and daughter and the citizens back on the home front. He was a well established and committed sergeant, dedicating the last few years of his life to the United States in order to ensure that peace and democracy would remain. He was well loved by his parents, wife, siblings and young daughter. He had to make a sacrifice for them though, which he gladly went through with. He was a well expected man in the US Army branch as well, serving primarily in the Warrant Officers branch. Just like anybody else, he started off at the bottom, at the rank private. Even then, that was an honorable title as he was willingly fighting for his country. He worked his way up, and became a sergeant rather quickly. The man who had originally just been a family man who did labor as a living decided to truly show what his capabilities were. He was a selfless person who went as far to sacrifice himself for his country, his family and his friends. His purple heart medal reminds us all of the detrimental price he had to pay, but a price not in vain and rather in honor.