On the eve of the 75th anniversary of D-Day, 10 World War II veterans from Berks County were honored Wednesday during a session of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in Harrisburg.
Noting they played a part in one of the most decisive periods of recent history, state Rep. Mark M. Gillen of Robeson Township lauded the veterans’ service to their country in a speech on the House floor.
“These men and women altered the fate of humanity,” Gillen said. “Their actions forever changed the trajectory of human civilization.”
After Gillen’s remarks, the veterans received a standing ovation from members of the House.
Gillen invited the veterans to join him in Harrisburg, where lawmakers approved Gillen’s House Resolution 21, marking June 6 as “D-Day” in Pennsylvania.
The resolution highlights the 75th anniversary of D-Day, the Allied invasion of Normandy that marked the beginning of the end of Germany’s occupation of France.
One of the veterans honored was Seaman 1st Class Joseph C. “Zeb” Zebertavage of Reading, who served as an anti-aircraft gunner on the USS O’Brien during the invasion.
Zebertavage, who is 93, expressed appreciation for being honored in the historic House Chamber.
“I got a little numb,” he said.
The aura surrounding the proceedings, Zebertavage said, evoked memories of that fateful day in 1944.
He remembered the trip across the English Channel in an armada of about 5,000 warships and seeing troops encountering German resistance as landing crafts hit the beaches.
“It was something to see,” he said, “but something you didn’t want to see.”
Also honored were:
Kenneth Mosser, Mohnton, Army; and John Fleming, Robeson Township, Army. The following are residents of The Heritage at Green Hills retirement community in Cumru Township: Louis Cinifici, Army; Walter Davis, Navy; Charles Eberwein, Coast Guard; William Gordon, Navy; Dr. Cedric Jimerson, Army; Bernadine Smith, Army; and Ethan Smith, Army Air Corps.
Contact Ron Devlin: 610-371-5030 or rdevlin@readingeagle.com.
