D-Day

An Exciting Opportunity to Honor History and Develop Future Leaders

Oregon City, OR — Nineteen Cadets from the Oregon City High School Army Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) program have been selected to represent their school and community at the 2025 D-Day Memorial Parade and Commemorative Ceremonies in Normandy, France.

In June 2025, these Cadets will travel to France and England to take part in a series of historic ceremonies and educational tours honoring the soldiers who fought and sacrificed during World War II. Their journey will include visits to key locations such as Omaha Beach, Utah Beach, Pointe du Hoc, and the Normandy American Cemetery, where 9,387 American service members are laid to rest.

A particularly moving moment will take place on June 5 at the Utah beach ceremony, where nine Oregon City High School seniors will receive their diplomas during a special graduation ceremony—held on the very grounds where so many American heroes are honored. Cadet Captain Sadie Couch will give a speech on virtues of liberty and freedom at the Utah Beach Ceremony. The other 18 Cadets will participate in a ceremony to place a memorial wreath, and escort VIPs during the event.  The experience will culminate in the D-Day anniversary parade on June 7 in Sainte-Mère-Église, the first French village liberated by American troops on June 6, 1944.

The JROTC program at Oregon City High School has long served as a foundation for leadership, physical fitness, and service to their community. Participation in this international event is both an honor and an educational milestone for these students, deepening their understanding of the global impact of D-Day and the enduring legacy of American service members.

This extraordinary opportunity is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the Cadets and the strength of the JROTC program in developing the next generation of leaders.