St. Michael, Patron Saint of Paratroopers
"Saint Michael the Archangel, Patron Saint of Paratroopers, defend us in battle, be our defense against wickedness and snares of the devil; may God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou O Prince of the heavenly hosts; by the divine power; thrust into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen."
In and around the small village of St. Mere Eglise, France became the landing spot of the 82nd Airborne Division in the early morning hours of D-Day 1944.
During the battle that followed, the windows of their central church were destroyed. To honor the sacrifice Americans made for them, they rebuilt those windows adorning them with their love for the 82nd Airborne.
To this day, locals teach their children the facts and history of where America stood in the great battle against a Fascist-Socialist-Communist German tyranny.
Photo: (c) Brian Guenthenspberger
