"My purpose isn't to rewrite history but to relive

"My purpose isn't to rewrite history but to relive history, to give people tidbits of what happened here. Dramatic things happened and strong friendships were formed," said re-enactor Denis Van Denrin (center). On June 3, 2015, the town of Carentan, France, hosted service members of the Joint Task Force D-Day 71. The day included a tour of the town hall and historic sites such as the Angoville Au Plain church where two medics with the 501st Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, treated Soldiers and locals during heavy fighting that occurred there June 6-8, 1944. Another site the service members visited was La Barquette Lock, where Col. "Skeets" Johnson, commander of the 501st, 101st Abn. Div., attacked the Germans here from the north early D-Day morning with 150 men, ultimately causing the Germans to surrender. Over 380 service members from Europe and affiliated D-Day historical units are participating in the 71st anniversary as part of JTF D-Day 71. The Task Force, based in Saint Mere Eglise, France, is supporting local events across Normandy, June 2-8, 2015, to commemorate the selfless actions by all the allies on D-Day that continue to resonate 71 years later. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Saska Ball, USACAPOC(A) PAO)