PECHS teacher Margo Melton and a group of students from Pender Early College High School are traveling independently through Europe, with one of their significant stops being at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer, France. This cemetery stands as a solemn testament to the sacrifices made during one of the most pivotal moments of World War II: the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944.
The Normandy American Cemetery spans 172.5 acres and holds the remains of 9,388 American soldiers, many of whom gave their lives during the Normandy invasion. For the PECHS students, visiting this historic site in June provided a profound educational opportunity, allowing them to witness firsthand the scale of sacrifice that marked that fateful day.
During their visit, the students discovered there was a Pender County native buried on the grounds. They found the resting place of George H. Wooten, a native of Burgaw, NC, who served as a Private First Class in the 119th Infantry of the 30th Division. Wooten's service and sacrifice resonated deeply with the visiting students, who took time to pay their respects and honor his memory.
As the students continue their tour of Europe, this experience at the Normandy American Cemetery will undoubtedly remain a powerful memory of the sacrifice these veterans made and their historical remembrance.