Commander Wong Visits Normandy
National Commander Fang Wong visits Normandy, France to participate in the events during the 68th anniversary of D-Day. Photos by Doug Malin.![Duaine](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/93/2012-06-05/normandy_0000.jpg?itok=fVzb5Cj8)
Duaine "Pinky" Pinkston, a medic in the 82nd Airborne Division, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, returned to Normandy for his third visit since D-Day to take part in the 68th Anniversary events.
![Commander Wong watches a re-enactment of the parachute drop near La Fiere bridge in Normandy.](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/65923/2012-06-04/ste-mere-eglise_fang-jump.jpg?itok=YYfkZ-hA)
Commander Wong watches a re-enactment of the parachute drop near La Fiere bridge in Normandy.
![Commander Wong visits the 82nd Airborne Museum in Ste. Mere-Eglise, France.](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/65923/2012-06-04/ste-mere-eglise_008.jpg?itok=by27lYRd)
Commander Wong visits the 82nd Airborne Museum in Ste. Mere-Eglise, France.
![Pictured (ltr): Department of New York Adjutant Richard Pedro and wife, Jean; PR Commission Chairman Robert Morrill; National Commander Fang Wong and wife, Barbara; National Sergeant at Arms David Louie and wife, Asa; Auxiliary President Kris Nelson and husband, Terry in Ste. Mere-Eglise, France on June 3, 2012.](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/65923/2012-06-04/ste-mere-eglise_009.jpg?itok=zgrmUM2N)
Pictured (ltr): Department of New York Adjutant Richard Pedro and wife, Jean; PR Commission Chairman Robert Morrill; National Commander Fang Wong and wife, Barbara; National Sergeant at Arms David Louie and wife, Asa; Auxiliary President Kris Nelson and husband, Terry in Ste. Mere-Eglise, France on June 3, 2012.
![National Commander Fang Wong in Ste. Mere-Eglise, France on June 3, 2012.](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/65923/2012-06-04/ste-mere-eglise_016.jpg?itok=k3Y7eD4M)
National Commander Fang Wong in Ste. Mere-Eglise, France on June 3, 2012.
![A mannequin representing Pvt. John Steele hangs from the church steeple during D-Day anniversary events in Ste. Mere-Eglise, France.](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/65923/2012-06-04/ste-mere-eglise_0033.jpg?itok=tnjupoDr)
A mannequin representing Pvt. John Steele hangs from the church steeple during D-Day anniversary events in Ste. Mere-Eglise, France.
![Pictured are Department of New York Adjutant Richard Pedro and wife, Jean; PR Commission Chairman Robert Morrill; National Commander Fang Wong and wife, Barbara; National Sergeant at Arms David Louie and wife, Asa; Auxiliary President Kris Nelson and husband, Terry with residents of Locust Valley, N.Y., Kathy Soref and Kaye Weninger, who attended the 68th anniversary events representing the Operation Democracy program.](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/65923/2012-06-04/ste-mere-eglise_039.jpg?itok=td7AhaJz)
Pictured are Department of New York Adjutant Richard Pedro and wife, Jean; PR Commission Chairman Robert Morrill; National Commander Fang Wong and wife, Barbara; National Sergeant at Arms David Louie and wife, Asa; Auxiliary President Kris Nelson and husband, Terry with residents of Locust Valley, N.Y., Kathy Soref and Kaye Weninger, who attended the 68th anniversary events representing the Operation Democracy program.
![Auxiliary National President Kris Nelson with a costumed re-enactor in Ste. Mere-Eglise, France.](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/65923/2012-06-04/ste-mere-eglise_046.jpg?itok=S4GUzelL)
Auxiliary National President Kris Nelson with a costumed re-enactor in Ste. Mere-Eglise, France.
![The re-enactment of the parachute drop near La Fiere bridge in Normandy.](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/65923/2012-06-04/ste-mere-eglise_066.jpg?itok=3lx0GjQY)
The re-enactment of the parachute drop near La Fiere bridge in Normandy.
![National Commander Fang Wong greets Legionnaires from the Department of France at La Fiere Bridge in Normandy, France.](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/65923/2012-06-04/ste-mere-eglise_070.jpg?itok=-bTRJ6q3)
National Commander Fang Wong greets Legionnaires from the Department of France at La Fiere Bridge in Normandy, France.
![National Commander Fang Wong greets WWII veterans at La Fiere Bridge in Normandy, France.](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/65923/2012-06-04/ste-mere-eglise_076.jpg?itok=eiJkZaMw)
National Commander Fang Wong greets WWII veterans at La Fiere Bridge in Normandy, France.
![Commander Wong watches a re-enactment of the parachute drop near La Fiere bridge in Normandy.](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/65923/2012-06-04/ste-mere-eglise_088.jpg?itok=6bB6glEI)
Commander Wong watches a re-enactment of the parachute drop near La Fiere bridge in Normandy.
![The statue of](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/65923/2012-06-04/ste-mere-eglise_097.jpg?itok=ISOJE3Rt)
The statue of "Iron Mike" marks the American's victory at La Fiere bridge.
![68th Anniversary ceremonies before the parachute drop at La Fiere Bridge in Normandy, France.](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/65923/2012-06-04/ste-mere-eglise_108.jpg?itok=mf9eJQ8A)
68th Anniversary ceremonies before the parachute drop at La Fiere Bridge in Normandy, France.
![National Commander Fang Wong lays a wreath during 68th Anniversary ceremonies at La Fiere Bridge in Normandy, France.](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/65923/2012-06-04/ste-mere-eglise_109.jpg?itok=b4MBv6Eo)
National Commander Fang Wong lays a wreath during 68th Anniversary ceremonies at La Fiere Bridge in Normandy, France.
![National Commander Fang Wong and Auxiliary President Kris Nelson during 68th Anniversary ceremonies at La Fiere Bridge in Normandy, France.](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/65923/2012-06-04/ste-mere-eglise_118.jpg?itok=u1_5RQ3Z)
National Commander Fang Wong and Auxiliary President Kris Nelson during 68th Anniversary ceremonies at La Fiere Bridge in Normandy, France.
![National Commander Fang Wong and wife, Barbara, visit Utah Beach in France.](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/65923/2012-06-06/Normandy-_025_0.jpg?itok=p-NkUzGc)
National Commander Fang Wong and wife, Barbara, visit Utah Beach in France.
![A scenic photo of Utah Beach in France.](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/65923/2012-06-06/Normandy-_036_0.jpg?itok=ucecFDS6)
A scenic photo of Utah Beach in France.
![A scenic photo of Utah Beach in France that shows the terrain of the area.](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/65923/2012-06-06/Normandy-_037_0.jpg?itok=K-b5_zVo)
A scenic photo of Utah Beach in France that shows the terrain of the area.
![National Commander Fang Wong at Utah Beach.](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/65923/2012-06-06/Normandy-_069_0.jpg?itok=A48ss0mP)
National Commander Fang Wong at Utah Beach.
![National Commander Fang Wong and Auxiliary National President Kris Nelson and guests visit one of the war monuments at Utah Beach in France.](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/65923/2012-06-06/Normandy-_006_0.jpg?itok=nc_f6sja)
National Commander Fang Wong and Auxiliary National President Kris Nelson and guests visit one of the war monuments at Utah Beach in France.
![National Commander Fang Wong meets with officials from France.](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/65923/2012-06-06/Normandy-_079.jpg?itok=G7v6PcwE)
National Commander Fang Wong meets with officials from France.
![National Commander Fang Wong meets with officials from France.](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/65923/2012-06-06/Normandy-_108.jpg?itok=odsXhb8-)
National Commander Fang Wong meets with officials from France.
![National Commander Fang Wong, wife Barbara, Auxiliary National President Kris Nelson and husband, Terry, meets with officials from France.](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/65923/2012-06-06/Normandy-_133.jpg?itok=izjTUS3H)
National Commander Fang Wong, wife Barbara, Auxiliary National President Kris Nelson and husband, Terry, meets with officials from France.
![A scenic photo of Michel Castle in France.](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/65923/2012-06-06/Normandy-_136.jpg?itok=lz8gk539)
A scenic photo of Michel Castle in France.
![National Commander Fang Wong lays down a wreath during a D-Day Ceremony in France.](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/65923/2012-06-06/Normandy-_203.jpg?itok=IhnAK7n1)
National Commander Fang Wong lays down a wreath during a D-Day Ceremony in France.
![National Commander Fang Wong and Auxiliary National President Kris Nelson lay wreaths during a D-Day ceremony in France.](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/65923/2012-06-06/IMG_0179.jpg?itok=mYiCnWRt)
National Commander Fang Wong and Auxiliary National President Kris Nelson lay wreaths during a D-Day ceremony in France.
![National Commander Fang Wong meets and speaks with a WWII veteran on D-Day in France.](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/65923/2012-06-06/Normandy-_218.jpg?itok=9WXScloH)
National Commander Fang Wong meets and speaks with a WWII veteran on D-Day in France.
![A street in Normandy, France.](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/65923/2012-06-06/Normandy-_1433.jpg?itok=H1cYHywJ)
A street in Normandy, France.
![The interior of a scenic building in Normandy, France.](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/65923/2012-06-06/Normandy-_1623.jpg?itok=T643l7ru)
The interior of a scenic building in Normandy, France.
![The entrance to the Normandy American Cemetary Memorial in Normandy, France.](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/65923/2012-06-06/Normandy-american-cemetery-_003.jpg?itok=MiwEAfYJ)
The entrance to the Normandy American Cemetary Memorial in Normandy, France.
![National Commander Fang Wong looks at the Normandy American Cemetary Memorial in Normandy, France.](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/65923/2012-06-06/Normandy-american-cemetery-_005.jpg?itok=uk3b5xrO)
National Commander Fang Wong looks at the Normandy American Cemetary Memorial in Normandy, France.
![](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/65923/2012-06-06/Normandy-american-cemetery-_009.jpg?itok=_z_kX4Oo)
![National Commander Fang Wong and Auxiliary National President Kris Nelson help raise the American Flag at the the Normandy American Cemetary Memorial in Normandy, France.](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/65923/2012-06-06/Normandy-american-cemetery-_014.jpg?itok=BvOswdnq)
National Commander Fang Wong and Auxiliary National President Kris Nelson help raise the American Flag at the the Normandy American Cemetary Memorial in Normandy, France.
![Onlookers at the Normandy American Cemetary Memorial in Normandy, France salute the American Flag as it's being raised.](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/65923/2012-06-06/Normandy-american-cemetery-_017.jpg?itok=pS4VhM3-)
Onlookers at the Normandy American Cemetary Memorial in Normandy, France salute the American Flag as it's being raised.
![](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/65923/2012-06-06/Normandy-american-cemetery-_025.jpg?itok=MLsXbUOL)
![Teddy Roosevelt, Jr.'s memorial at the Normandy American Cemetary Memorial in Normandy, France.](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/65923/2012-06-06/Normandy-american-cemetery-_027.jpg?itok=Zu4ywt0X)
Teddy Roosevelt, Jr.'s memorial at the Normandy American Cemetary Memorial in Normandy, France.
![National Commander Fang Wong during D-Day ceremonies at the Normandy American Cemetary Memorial in Normandy, France.](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/65923/2012-06-06/Normandy-american-cemetery-_037.jpg?itok=cEsB1Wh-)
National Commander Fang Wong during D-Day ceremonies at the Normandy American Cemetary Memorial in Normandy, France.
![D-Day ceremonies at the Normandy American Cemetary Memorial in Normandy, France.](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/65923/2012-06-06/Normandy-american-cemetery-_038.jpg?itok=hG1Z813h)
D-Day ceremonies at the Normandy American Cemetary Memorial in Normandy, France.
![A fly-over during D-Day ceremonies at the Normandy American Cemetary Memorial in Normandy, France.](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/65923/2012-06-06/Normandy-american-cemetery-_039.jpg?itok=az-D9d5Q)
A fly-over during D-Day ceremonies at the Normandy American Cemetary Memorial in Normandy, France.