Private First Class James Gavin, 96, was awarded the Purple Heart and four Bronze Stars for his actions as an army medic on Utah Beach during the D-Da
On Sunday afternoon, a group of military veterans organizations, veterans themselves and community members will join together to honor the distinguished service of a local World War II veteran via a drive-by parade in Montgomery Township.
Organizers, including the Blue Star Mothers, Warrior Watch Riders and area military veterans, will stage in the parking lot of the Home Depot located 751 Horsham Road at 12:30 p.m. on Oct. 4. From there, the caravan of vehicles will make its way to 209 Walden Lane — the home of 96-year-old James Gavin, a former army medic who served with the 4th Infantry Division during their assault on Utah Beach on D-Day.
Gavin, who was a Private First Class at the time, was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries sustained during the assault, as well as four Bronze Stars for his heroic actions on D-Day.
“Less than 1% of Americans serve our country in the military, so with the help of an all-volunteer group we planned this surprise salute to his service,” said Anita Fleming, a Blue Star Mother and organizer of the drive-by salute to service. “We want this 96-year-old hero to walk away saying ‘My community is proud of what I did.’”
Following the drive-by parade, Fleming said the parade will be followed by a socially-distances gathering to pay further honors to Gavin and his heroism. For more information on this event, contact Anita Fleming via email at [email protected]
See also:
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