From the S&S archives: Photo gallery: Ste. Mère-Église marks the 17th anniversary of the Normandy invasion

U.S. Ambassador to France James M. Gavin was among the special guests as Ste. Mère-Église, Normandy, celebrated the 17th anniversary of its liberation by Allied forces. In addition to Gavin, who was commanding general of the 82nd Airborne Division on D-Day, townspeople honored the 505th Infantry, which liberated the town from the Germans. The 505th, stationed in Mainz, Germany, sent 25 members to the commemoration service; five of the visitors were men who made the jump into the area with the 505th in 1944 and were still serving with the unit.

MSgt. William Hall of the 505th Infantry poses with Ambassador (and retired Gen.) James M. Gavin at Ste. Mère-Église.

Gen. Gavin's contribution to the liberation is remembered at Ste. Mère-Église.

Parachute decorations in the town square honor the role of airborne troops in the liberation.

Local children lead the way in the anniversary parade.

The parade moves past the town's landmark church, scene of heavy fighting on D-Day.

Ambassador Gavin talks with some of the young participants in the anniversary ceremony.

Ambassador Gavin speaks at the ceremony.

Sgt. Theodore Liska stands beside a marker commemorating the site of the former U.S. cemetery at Ste. Mère-Église. All the dead were returned to the U.S. in 1948.