Iola Sobeck, John Sobeck's widow, left, and Linda Alvira, the daughter of D-Day veteran Clifford Alvira, a Royal Oak resident who passed away April 24 at the age of 99, lay a wreath at the Michigan World War II Legacy Memorial honoring those who fought on D-Day in 1944.
By: Taylor Christensen | Metro | Published June 6, 2024
ROYAL OAK — The 80th anniversary of D-Day brings one of the last anniversaries of the World War II era where surviving veterans can be present for the event.
President of the Michigan World War II Legacy Memorial, John Maten, said that is what makes this particular anniversary different.
Maten and his team at the Michigan World War II Legacy Memorial in Royal Oak hosted a D-Day anniversary event on June 6, commemorating one of the most significant days in history.
“I think the one thing is that this is the last significant anniversary, if you count every five or 10 (years) a significant anniversary, well, this is one where we will actually have D-Day veterans alive,” Maten said.
Having veterans who survived these efforts standing with the community, recounting their stories, and honoring those who lost their lives is a unique opportunity that might not last much longer.
“Being the 80th anniversary, it is important because we are losing veterans every day, and to honor them as we can, as they are alive, and continue this on,” Maten said. “It is not just about honoring them as they are alive, but honoring them in perpetuity as things move on.”
The anniversary event ran from noon to 5 p.m, with a special wreath laying ceremony at approximately 12:30 p.m.
Neil Sobeck, grandson of D-Day veteran John Sobeck, spoke at the event. John Sobeck, who passed away in 2016, was also the founder of Detroit’s Original Chicken Shack.
Iola Sobeck, John Sobeck’s widow, and Linda Alvira, the daughter of D-Day veteran Clifford Alvira, a Royal Oak resident who passed away April 24 at age 99, laid the wreath together to honor those who took part in the D-Day operation.
Neil Sobeck said that his grandfather served in World War II from 1943 to 1946, piloting landing boats on the Normandy beach, and he served as a machinist in the Navy.
“Many soldiers paid the ultimate sacrifice while fighting for freedom. We owe an immeasurable amount of debt and gratitude to all World War II veterans for their bravery and sacrifice,” Sobeck said. “They faced unimaginable horrors and yet their commitment to the duty and country never waivered.”
Attending the event were multiple veterans, whether they were in World War II or younger. Some attendees were family members of veterans wishing to honor their family members’ memory on this day.
Norbert Kaczmarek, 97, a resident of Livonia, served in World War II in the 84th Infantry Division, nicknamed the Railsplitters.
The Railsplitter Division landed on Omaha Beach in Normandy five months after D-Day in early November of 1944, according to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum’s encyclopedia available at encyclopedia.ushmm.org.
“I was glad to be able to help in that tremendous conflict,” Kaczmarek said. “Never in the history of any war has there been that many deaths.”
Eight years ago, Kaczmarek’s family bought him a brick with his name on it to be put at the Michigan WWII Legacy Memorial, and he finally got to see it for himself during the D-Day event.
“It shows an acceptance of life, the fact that I was able to participate in that conflict with the result being positive,” he said.
Kaczmarek said that growing up, his parents were both Polish immigrants who had come to America in 1902. Their hard work and dedication similarly influenced him, pushing him forward through his war efforts.
Being a father, grandfather and great grandfather has proved to him the difference between the ideas of life and happiness young people had during the World War II era versus now.
“My heart goes out to all of these young people with the wrong ideas they have about life,” he said. His advice would be this: “Love your fellow man, and be very careful of the people you choose to admire. I think sometimes they are a detriment to what a positive life looks like.”
The Michigan WWII Legacy Memorial is not fully completed, and the organization is currently raising money to complete the memorial as designed.
For more information on events, or how to donate, visit michiganww2memorial.org.