European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 7, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Tuesday june 7, 1994 a a the stars and stripes Page 11pain lingers at Omaha Beach by Mark Kinkade Normandy Bureau Omaha Beach France a Luke Lukiewski watched quietly As a seemingly endless Stream of military bands marched noisily past the Sand where his friends died 50 years before. A a in be never had the guts to come Back Here a said Lukiewski 69, a Veteran of the june 6, 1944, landings in Normandy. A there was nothing Here but bedlam carnage and death. My memories Here Aren t so  Lukiewski was among about 4,000 american veterans who watched monday As most of the Western nations paid them tribute during the 50th anniversary commemoration of the american landings at Omaha Beach. The French led International ceremonies had an almost casual town picnic feel Complete with marching bands dignitaries and Short speeches. Most of the activities were devoted to military forces from the world War ii Allied nations marching and displaying unit flags in tribute to the veterans. French president Frangois Mitterrand presided Over the ceremonies while . President Clinton Britain a Queen Elizabeth ii polish president Lech Walesa and dozens of other dignitaries watched the two hour Beac Side spectacle. Countries represented were those that participated in the invasion a the United states Britain Canada Australia Belgium Greece Luxembourg Netherlands new zealand Norway Poland France and the czech Republic and Slovakia which were then the single nation of Czechoslovakia. Dreary Gray skies threatened the commemoration which began shortly after 2 30 . But the Sun broke through shortly after the . Army Europe marching band began playing in the Center of a Pavilion built for the ceremony. Brilliant sunlight spilled Over the Sand in front of the veterans. Armed services from nine countries represented at the ceremony formed up on the Beach and stood at Parade rest during most of the event. The . Navy a George Washington Battle group and warships from the other countries circled in the English Channel behind them. Lukiewski who helped Clear obstacles from the Beach during the first assault wave in 1944 As part of the Navy a 6th Beach in said the ceremony was spectacular but still painful. . Army soldiers Bear hags As they pass in review across Omaha Beach during ceremonies monday. Apr this pageantry is great a Lukiewski said As a . Air Force b-17 roared overhead. A but i got too Many memories of this place. In a glad i came but it  George Ciampa who had the Job of identifying and burying the dead on a Day As a 21-year-old private with the 125th inf div said the events were the culmination of 50 years of trying to forget the War and two months of thinking of nothing else. A i Haven t thought As much about this War in 50 years As i have in the past two months a Ciampa said. A you feel like people done to want to hear about the War so you try to put it out of your  Midway through the ceremony five Large wheeled Landing Craft bearing banners with the names of each of the invasion beaches rolled onto the Sand from the Channel. Flag bearer details composed of Semoc Mem ers from each country marched out carrying flags of each military unit that participated in the invasion. As a . Army Navy air Force and Marine formation marched past his seat John Higney cheered and said he was glad the world was watching the events in Normandy this week. A your Guys done to say much about the War a said Higney who served with Lukiewski in the 6th Beach in. A now our kids seem disinterested. I guess its our fault. But this should Jolt a few fellas to talk to their  following a Brief speech by Mitterrand the officials left the Small veranda at the base of the Omaha Beach memorial where they had been sitting then left the Pavilion. Bands played while the veterans filed out toward the Street along the Beach. They sat along the sea Walls. Some stared out to sea but most gathered together in Large groups and swapped War stories. A live never liked talking about it. Its hard to say you saw death and destruction Quot Lukiewski said. A i know one thing a its something i won t forget. And this is Nice by i wont be  nightmares cause vet to Wake up screaming Omaha mares Earl by Mark Kinkade Normandy Bureau Beach France a in his night Rbrown Isnit on the Beach with his friends but he wants to warn them. A i done to know where i am in the dreams but in a trying to warn somebody i know about some horrible danger a the 75-year-old Veteran of the 1st inf div said Early monday. A a a look out Damn it Damn it look out a i scream. And i guess i Wake up screaming. I guess i warn  in the Early hours before the a Day commemoration ceremony at the Omaha Beach memorial in st. Laurent Brown who is from Laguna Beach calif., walked the Beach where he fought his Way into France. Its the same quiet ritual a handful of veterans go through when they return to Normandy they Rise dress and walk the Beach alone looking for the place where they landed. They walk in silence looking for the spot where a buddy was hit. In a cold Windy drizzle on the morning of the 50th anniversary of a Day Brown peered at the sea straining to see the past that often haunts his nights. A eth bodies were there and about As Many Quot said Brown pointing to a Row of boulders that line the nearly two mile Long Beach whitecaps kicked up in the English Channel and a cold wind flipped Browne a jacket Collar around his ears As he walked. The Sand was smooth and Damp just like 50 years ago. A it was pretty much like this a Brown said As the tide lapped near his feet. A Only Brown the weather was colder maybe  he pointed to the aircraft Carrier George Washington Battle group steaming West off Shore toward Porte do hoc. A take that line of ships and stretch it across the horizon a Brown said pulling a handkerchief from his pocket to wipe his eyes. A now take that line and stretch it behind the ships. That show Many ships there were. And i was on one of them sicker a hell a he said with a laugh. Omaha Beach holds hard memories for Brown. A Veteran of campaigns in Sicily and North Africa he called the Battle for Normandy a the worst absolutely chaotic a and he does no to remember the details too Well. For example he can to pinpoint where he landed they moved too fast he said. There were too Many bodies too much confusion Quot we sat on those boats for five Days just itching to get on the Beach because we were sick of the water a Brown said. A about 10 seconds after we landed we All wanted to get Back on the  Brown has been on Omaha Beach three times. Once he fought to take it from the German army. Then he came Back in 1989 for the 45th anniversary that time he could hardly step on the Beach because the memories and the voices of that bloody Day in 1944 came Rushing Back at him he said. Now its easier to look on the Sand and remember. But he knows he will always have the nightmares a it the invasion is one of those things that defines you a Brown said As he neared the end of his walk. A it Sticks with you