76 Years Ago In A Distant Land Called Normandy

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Posted by: Steve Hardwick
Date: May 24 2020 9:24 AM

A Local Fallen Hero
76 Years Ago Normandy France
PFC Malcolm Blackman

SOMETIMES TEARS MAY FALL AT THE MOST UNEXPECTED MOMENTS!!!

Three years ago I posted pictures of PFC Malcolm Blackman’s headstone that I just happened to see near my family’s cemetery lot.

I read on his headstone that he served in WWII and died on June 11th, 1944. I Knew the United States D-Day Invasion was on June 6th, 1944. So I quickly assumed he must have been killed in action during the invasion of France against Hitler and the Nazi German Soldiers who had occupied France.

I had no idea who his family was so first of all I placed flowers at his headstone with 2 American Flags because I did not want PFC Blackman who was only 25 years old when he paid the ultimate sacrifice for each of us to be forgotten over the 76 years since he had died.

I posted it also on Rickey Stokes News and by the Grace Of God I just received a phone call from one of Malcolm’s relatives who also never knew Malcolm but they had his picture and the Purple Heart that PFC Blackman had been awarded over 70 years ago.

Soon as they sent me a picture of him and the Purple Heart I just started tearing up. Finally I could put a face with his name and the story of his heroism for our country.

I will always have a special place in my heart for this local hometown hero who died for me and for you so that we could all 76 years later still enjoy the freedom that isnt free.

Over 12 million valiant men and women gave their lives for me and for each of you during World War II.
PFC Malcolm Blackman the words " Thank You " aren’t near enough for the ultimate sacrifice that you gave so many years ago.

My oldest son just turned 20 and you were only 5 years older when the battle cries around you fell silent and God wrapped his arms around you and carried one more fallen soldier Home.

lol Malcolm Blackman was the child of Alto and Mary Blackman and as a parent I can only imagine how they probably worried each and every day about their son who was off fighting a war thousands of miles away, praying each day that their son would one day come back home safe and sound.

Instead they may have either received a letter in the mail that read.."

Dear Mr. And Mrs. Blackman We Regret To Inform You That Your Son PFC MALCOLM O BLACKMAN Was Killed In Action On June 11, 1944 While Fighting For The Freedom And Liberties Of Our Great Country." OR...That Dreaded Knock At The Front Door. Either WAY Their Lives Would Never Be The Same...THEIR CHILD WAS GONE!!!

I will always be indebted to you and to every fallen hero who gave the ultimate sacrifice for ....

OUR United States Of AMERICA.

The Angel of Hope statue at Westgate Park is dedicated to every parent who has lost a child with the Hope of providing comfort and healing by knowing that their child will not be forgotten. PFC Malcolm Blackman..You Are Not Forgotten.

To all of my friends:
Maybe one day for some reason you too will be walking through a cemetery ..If you just happen to see a headstone that belongs to a soldier no matter if he or she died on a battlefield or in their own bed here at home..Take A Moment....STOP..LOOK...AND REFLECT on How That SOLDIER ( No Matter if it was 75 years ago or just a year ago ) impacted your life because that buried soldier SERVED THIS GREAT NATION OF OURS BY PROTECTING YOUR FREEDOM AND YOUR LIBERTIES THAT SO MANY TAKE FOR GRANTED.

PFC MALCOLM BLACKMAN

You Are Always Loved, Missed, Remembered

We Are Forever Indebted To You And To All Who Have Given The Ultimate Sacrifice

To Protect And Defend Our Country And Our Freedom

Steve Hardwick

Wiregrass Angel Of Hope