On Friday, a special ceremony was held in Stafford County, Virginia, to honor two brave brothers who died while serving in World War II. The event brought together family members and community members to pay tribute to the fallen soldiers.
One of the attendees was Marshal Boutchyard, a distant cousin of Cpl. Mercer Boutchyard and Pfc. Marvin Boutchyard. Through the ceremony, he and another relative, Darien Boutchyard, were able to complete the story of their relatives’ service.
Pfc. Boutchyard was stationed in Europe and was part of the D-Day invasion. He survived the crossing of the beach but unfortunately died a week later from wounds he sustained during the battle. A year later in the Pacific Theater, Cpl. Boutchyard also died from wounds suffered in the battle of Okinawa.
Shannon Eubanks, Stafford Community Engagement Director, helped create the memorial that honors these soldiers with their names listed among others who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. She came across Pfc. Boutchyard’s name while researching for another project at Normandy American Cemetery in France and realized that she needed to tell his story as well as her brother’s, Darren Meadows Jr., who also served there during WWII and is still alive today.
Marshal Boutchyard is currently preparing to deploy this summer with the Army National Guard but will keep his relatives’ stories alive wherever he goes by sharing them with others.
“I take pride in knowing that we have people like my brothers who are willing to lay down everything for our country,” Marshal said after attending the ceremony.
The event brought together families from different generations and backgrounds to celebrate those who gave their lives for our nation’s freedom and democracy.
“We must never forget their sacrifices,” said Eubanks as she addressed those gathered at Stafford County High School Auditorium where the ceremony took place.
