[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 71 (Monday, May 23, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E929]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING THE PEOPLE OF SEATON, ENGLAND

                                  _____
                                 

                            HON. JON RUNYAN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 23, 2011

  Mr. RUNYAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the people of 
Seaton, England. The people of Seaton were invaluable partners prior to 
the ``D-Day'' invasion of June 6, 1944. Seaton's unwavering support and 
hospitality allowed U.S. troops to launch a successful invasion of 
Europe and ultimately win World War II.
  The kindness of the people of Seaton manifested itself in many ways. 
They welcomed, housed, and supported the men of the 2nd Battalion, 8th 
Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division from January 1944 through 
early June, 1944. Many of these soldiers were taken in and treated like 
family, and respected members of the community.
  This feeling of community was made evident when the people of Seaton 
organized dances, entertainment, and other events, for the troops. 
There's no doubt that this welcoming atmosphere helped ease the 
transition for the young soldiers, most of whom were away from home for 
the first time.
  Seaton was instrumental in the continued training of our forces 
providing marksmanship instruction alongside the British guard. This 
training inevitably led to our nation's forces being better prepared 
for battle and ultimately saved American lives.
  Seaton's lasting legacy is the positive atmosphere that it helped to 
foster. In fact in the five months that it housed American troops there 
were no recorded adverse incidents to speak of and many troops who were 
stationed in Seaton had some of their fondest memories of the war while 
stationed there.
  Seaton had a significant strategic impact on the war. The town's 
support of the 2nd Battalion was instrumental in allowing it to become 
the first to land on Utah Beach, during ``D-Day'', and obtain all of 
its objectives within the first few hours of Operation Overlord.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the lasting 
legacy of the people of Seaton, England and their contributions in 
support of American forces prior to the ``D-Day'' landing on June 6, 
1944.

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