El Paso World War II veteran honored on D-Day

Thursday the nation remembered D-Day.

The day 156,000 soldiers invaded the beaches of Normandy, France, against the Germans.

There are few World War II veterans still alive today.

El Pasoan retired LTC Robert Chisolm fought three battles in World War II and he also fought in the Korean and Vietnam wars.

Thursday, he was recognized for his role as a soldier.

On June 6, 1944, 24,000 paratroopers landed on the beaches of Normandy.

“It was hard being there. The fighting itself was terrible because so many young men gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country,” Chisolm said.

Chisolm was one of the first to land on the beach. He said there were few things that would keep their spirits up and one of those was comradery.

“The only way you can establish a relationship like that was under the fire of war,” Chisolm said.

And those bonds are still held to this day.

“We’re very dedicated. We still feel very strongly of our friendships,” Chisolm said.

“Yeah, I was scared,” said CSM Kenneth Merritt.

Merritt was one of those comrades. He said the bond often got them through the hardest times.

“I think it evens plays a part up to today,” Merritt said.

Merritt is one of Chisholm’s best friends 75 years later, but they weren’t together to tell stories of the war.

Chisolm was recognized by the city for his efforts in the war.

A park was dedicated to the soldier and even with the unveiling of a memorial dedicated to him all these years later, he still remembers those who lost their lives.

“War is a terrible thing. You’re going to lose your very close friends in a conflict. I’ll never forget them. I think very strongly of my friends I lost in World War II,” Chisolm said.