AHWAHNEE — When the 75th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, France was commemorated last month on June 6, Ahwahnee residents John and Jannai Pero attended the ceremonies with family members.
Their son, currently stationed in Germany, was part of the paratrooper drop reenactment of the historic day over 12,000 paratroopers dropped behind enemy lines in Normandy to help defeat the Nazi army.
The Peros also visited the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial in Germany, “a sober reminder of the atrocities under Hitler’s Nazism, for which soldiers risked their lives on D-Day to stop this tyranny,” notes Mrs. Pero.
“As a Vietnam vet, John was so appreciative of the patriotism and memorials set up by the local residents and visitors in Normandy, in remembrance of one of the greatest battles ever fought for our freedom,” she continues.
“He couldn’t help but to compare the past sacrifices to the incredible price that is always required to maintain freedom from tyranny and oppression. As Thomas Jefferson has said, ‘eternal vigilance is the price of freedom.'”
John and Jannai Pero lead the Mountain Area Conservative Forum in Oakhurst.