European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 7, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 12 the stars and stripes tuesday june 7,1994�kr. A Linton joins thousands to pay homage by Craig Martin Normandy Bureau Utah Beach France president Clinton acknowledged monday the role of those who fought at Utah Beach and vowed that americans should never forget the sacrifices the veterans made. A we have gathered to remember those who stormed this Beach and never came Home a Clinton said before a standing room Only crowd of More than 20,000 on a Rainy morning at this westernmost a Day invasion Beach in Normandy. A hundreds of your friends died before they could get 20 feet. In face of mayhem Here at Utah Beach the allies unleashed their dream forging against the German  Clinton also acknowledged the role that French resistance fighters played during the War. A for France a Day was the 1,454th Day of occupation a Clinton said As the crowd applauded. A they too kept freedoms Faith alive and paid a terrible Price. A some of them were killed a shortly before the ceremony began an announcement was made that the service would be delayed about 10 minutes because Clinton would be late. The crowd booed loudly. A a in a just a messenger ladies and gentlemen a said the announcer army sgt. Don Willard who works at the american forces network affiliate in Wurzburg Germany. As it turned out it was French president Francois Mitterrand who was late according to a . Army spokesman. Sen. Bob Dole r-kan., seemed to be the favorite guest at the ceremony. While being seated he was besieged by veterans and their wives who wanted to shake his hand and have their photographs taken with him. Dole was a world War ii combat Veteran of the . Campaign in Italy. Although everyone listened to Willard a narration of the ceremony in English and French Clinton was the Center of attention Willard said. A a it a very humbling a the announcer said of being chosen to be the voice of the Utah Beach ceremony. A i just introduced the president of the United states and i never dreamed i would do  Willard said he was very grateful being a French language major in College to also introduce Mitterrand. The 69th air defense arty brigade in Giebel Stadt Germany organized the Days events. Maj. Russell Chun operations officer for the 69th, said he is pleased at How Welt the Day progressed. A the focus was on the vets and that s what the speakers focused on a Chun said. A they were the reason we put this on.�?�. Its Daw Casey the 82nd airborne div chorus from fort Bragg n.c., performs As president Clinton seated Center foreground and other guests listen at the Utah Beach ceremony  musicians offer notes of respect for vets by Craig Martin Normandy Bureau Utah Beach France a for those service members from Europe working this week in support of the Utah Beach ceremony a Rainy morning did no to Dampen the spirits on a Day set aside to Honor those who died Here. The experience monday on the 50th anniversary of a Day will be etched in their minds forever a this is an incredible experience Quot said Petty officer 2nd class Susan Franklin a trumpet player with the 6th Fleet band in Italy. A a in be had a Chance Over the last week to talk with the veterans. Its hard to describe the picture in my mind what being Here  Franklin who hailstorm Palmyra va., was the trumpeter selected replay taps during the ceremony. All eyes of veterans the Heads of state in attendance and the world through news Media cameras were focused on her for a few seconds. You could hear a pin drop during her playing. �?o1 feel very fortunate a she said of her Opportunity to play taps. A was a trumpet player taps is the last word a a the culmination of everything. Its a great Honor to  Franklin and other members of the 6th Fleet band played for the ceremony at Utah Beach where president Clinton spoke to a packed crowd of about 20,000 dignitaries veterans and invited guests. Quot it Utah Beach is an emotionally charged place Quot said Petty officer 2nd class Tracy d. Hooker also a trumpet player with the band. A i was playing taps yesterday at another service and the old Guys had tears in their eyes. I Tost it too and that does no to happen often. A to see these veterans they really enjoy seeing us Here a Hooker said of the several ceremonies where the band has played Over the last week. A a it san Opportunity to actually see those people and know what happened and what they went through. A you see it in their faces a he said. A a it a incredible. I w Asnat there. They  a a five been thinking of my Uncle Ray Miller who landed at Omaha a said Petty officer 2nd class Gary Grimes of new Orleans also a band member. A the did t make the trip Here himself but in a delighted to be  Cape Laura Belknap of the 7th army Reserve come in Heidelberg Germany was an usher for House of representatives members attending the ceremony. A its a great Honor to be Here a she said after the ceremony. A it happens Only once in a lifetime something of this  what impressed Belknap the most was the veterans. A sea of Gray filled the bleachers. A i think the veterans have great dedication to come Over to pay service to their comrades who died a she said. They made a lot of personal  today a military people can learn from that sacrifice Belknap said. She feels learning from this dedication helps make them better service members. Belknap who said she had a an enormous feeling about the ceremony that was hard to describe expressed disappointment that the Ushers we rent Able to meet their goal of seating All of the visiting vets