Day Five: Bud Gahs returns to his battlefields

© Erin Faith Allen

Day 5 of Bud’s return to his battlefields:

We visited the somber beauty of Epinal American Cemetery, and experienced the tremendous blessing of a moving ceremony to honor two heroes.

It is in this cemetery that two of Bud’s friends rest:

PFC Wayne Charles Cruse, and PFC Barney Howard Parrish.

Both men were killed in a fierce firefight in the town of Schweighausen, now Schweighouse sur Moder, France.

Bud witnessed Wayne being killed by a sniper in a house battle on a cold winter morning.

Barney, who was his assistant driver, was killed just up the street in another battle while providing covering fire for his comrades.

We are truly grateful to Epinal and Eric Schell for making this ceremony possible, and to the French dignitaries and citizens who attended this special event.

Mostly, we are grateful to Wayne and Barney - and their families who continue to carry the burden of their sacrifice.

It is moments like this that remind us quite starkly that the cost of freedom is real.

PFC Cruse and PFC Parrish … we thank you.

And we will always remember you, and the other fallen warriors of the 42nd ‘Rainbow’ Division, with the reverence and honor you deserve.