BEATRICE – The Commander of C Troop, 134th Cavalry in Beatrice asked citizens to remember the sacrifice troop members made decades ago, during World War Two.


Captain Riley Meyer spoke at a Memorial Day Service in Beatrice, calling attention to the 134th Infantry Regiment’s role in battle during World War Two in France…more than 80 years ago in July of 1944.  "The 134th was given a mission...that the previous units had been stopped on, for almost three weeks. Capture Hill 122 and liberate Saint Lo."


Meyer said Company C of Beatrice was the first unit trying to take Hill 122 on July 13th.  "With Captain John E. Davis as the commander, within the first two hours of combat, the company had sixty percent casualties...wounded or killed. In a day David described as the worst day I had as a company commander, the Beatrice population of twelve thousand, at the time, would see seven killed and over twenty wounded in their first battle of World War Two. It took two days of determined fighting to wrest the Germans from Hill 122, but the cost was high for the 134th, suffering 793 total casualties."

Flag raising and lowering
Flag raising and lowering  

Meyer cited an account of the battle for Saint Lo as “some of the roughest, toughest combat” that took place, the entire war.
Meyer said Nebraskans have paid a high price for freedom…and citizens should honor those no longer with us who gave their lives for their country.

Audience, Memorial Day morning
Audience, Memorial Day morning  

"We also remember the families left behind, on this day. For in many instances, the pain of their loved ones passing, is still far from over. They too, are incredibly deserving of our continued thoughts, prayers and actions...ensuring the memory of their loved ones' sacrifices, are not forgotten."
The Memorial Day observance was held at the Veterans Section of the Evergreen Home Cemetery, in east Beatrice.

Veterans section of Evergreen Cemetery
Veterans section of Evergreen Cemetery