D-Day survivors share stories ahead of 75th anniversary
Posted: Updated:Three survivors of D-Day shared their firsthand accounts Monday of what it was like to land on the beaches of Normandy, France.
The D-Day landings on June 6, 1944, changed the course of the European front of World War II and launched the Allies on a path to victory.
U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi gave flags to the three survivors and asked them to come to his Huntington office to share their stories.
Just one hour after the D-Day invasion began, John McHugh landed on the beaches of Normandy. Irving Goodman, of Huntington, was a machine gunner who got there the second day of the invasion. He was greeted by the sight of mass graves being dug.
"They stepped off the ship into the water, not realizing that all the weight that they had on them, they sank right down into the water and they all drowned," Goodman recalls. "Three-thousand men. I couldn't handle that."
Harry Arlin, of Huntington, was 17 years old when he got to Normandy about a week after the invasion started. He saw a scene of destruction.
"There was a lot of German trucks, burned-out trucks -- American trucks," he says. "Tanks that were destroyed on the beach."
Although all three men had different experiences, they all share the same feelings. They don't consider themselves heroes. They think the younger generation doesn't have an appreciation of what happened on D-Day or in World War II -- and that what they went through on the beaches of Normandy was absolutely awful.
"You just can't believe where you are," McHugh says. "People shooting at you and you're up to your waist, you're all wet and you're scared stiff. So you just run."
Nearly 5,000 Allied troops were killed in the Normandy invasion.
Suozzi says there are 21 people from his district who are buried in the cemetery at Normandy. He's part of a group that will be there Thursday to mark the 75th anniversary of the invasion.
D-Day survivor Irving Goodman recounts the horrors of storming beaches of Normandy
NewsMore>>
Police: 2 arrested; third suspect wanted in Valley Stream robbery
Police: 2 arrested; third suspect wanted in Valley Stream robbery
Police say two men were arrested and a third is on the loose following a robbery in Valley Stream Saturday.Police say two men were arrested and a third is on the loose following a robbery in Valley Stream Saturday.Sesame Street puppeteer Caroll Spinney dies at age 85
Sesame Street puppeteer Caroll Spinney dies at age 85
Caroll Spinney, who gave Big Bird his warmth and Oscar the Grouch his growl for nearly 50 years on "Sesame Street," died Sunday at the age of 85 at his home in Connecticut, according to the Sesame Workshop.Caroll Spinney, who gave Big Bird his warmth and Oscar the Grouch his growl for nearly 50 years on "Sesame Street," died Sunday at the age of 85 at his home in Connecticut, according to the Sesame Workshop.Multiple people injured after armed home invasion in Riverhead
Multiple people injured after armed home invasion in Riverhead
Riverhead police are investigating what witnesses say was a violent home invasion at an apartment complex Sunday morning.Riverhead police are investigating what witnesses say was a violent home invasion at an apartment complex Sunday morning.Red Cross: Apartment fire displaces 10 in Great Neck
Red Cross: Apartment fire displaces 10 in Great Neck
The Red Cross says 10 people were displaced following an apartment fire in Great Neck Saturday.The Red Cross says 10 people were displaced following an apartment fire in Great Neck Saturday.Paws & Pals: Exotic animals and their care
Paws & Pals: Exotic animals and their care
This week's Paws & Pals segment focuses on exotic animals and the difficulties owners can have when adopting one.
This week's Paws & Pals segment focuses on exotic animals and the difficulties owners can have when adopting one.
This week's Paws & Pals segment focuses on exotic animals and the difficulties owners can have when adopting one.This week's Paws & Pals segment focuses on exotic animals and the difficulties owners can have when adopting one.
SlideshowsGalleriesMore>>
Dog Day Fridays for Dec. 6
Dog Day Fridays for Dec. 6
Manny is a 5-month-old male, Lab/Spaniel mix from Texas. He's an extremely playful, energetic and bouncy pup. He would thrive in a high energy home!
Manny is a 5-month-old male, Lab/Spaniel mix from Texas. He's an extremely playful, energetic and bouncy pup. He would thrive in a high energy home!
This week's dogs are up for adoption at Kent Animal Shelter. The shelter is located at 2259 River Road Calverton, NY 11933. Their phone number is 631-727-5731.This week's dogs are up for adoption at Kent Animal Shelter. The shelter is located at 2259 River Road Calverton, NY 11933. Their phone number is 631-727-5731.Chinese lantern festival lights up the sky above Citi Field for the holiday season
Chinese lantern festival lights up the sky above Citi Field for the holiday season
A new lantern festival has taken over Citi Field, lighting up the sky starting Friday.A new lantern festival has taken over Citi Field, lighting up the sky starting Friday.Your Long Island 2019 Holiday Photos
Your Long Island 2019 Holiday Photos
From sparking holiday lights to fun Santa photos, News 12 wants to see your holiday photos!From sparking holiday lights to fun Santa photos, News 12 wants to see your holiday photos!2019 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting
2019 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting
The 87th annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting ceremony was held Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019 in New York.The 87th annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting ceremony was held Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019 in New York.Your December 2019 Storm Photos
Your December 2019 Storm Photos
Do you have photos of the winter storm from the December 2019 storm? We want to see!Do you have photos of the winter storm from the December 2019 storm? We want to see!