By Mary Shinn | Denver Gazette
A Fort Carson soldier honored his family’s history this week in France ahead of commemorating the 81st anniversary of D-Day on Friday.
On Monday, Sgt. John Simmons visited the grave of his great-great-uncle Cpl. Raymond Parry in St. Mihiel American Cemetery, marking the first time in 95 years a member of the family visited the grave of the World War I soldier who never went home to Wyoming.
Later in the week, he expected to receive his promotion to staff sergeant on Utah Beach, a battle site his great-grandfather Glenn Thomas Workman passed through as part of the 6th Armored Division, after it was secured 81 years ago.
Simmons comes from a long line of service members on both sides of his family, including three members who served in World War I and five in World War II. Family members also served in the Korean, Vietnam, Cold War and Desert Storm conflicts.
It’s a history that’s important to his grandmother, Helen Ryan, who has traced family connections back to the American colonies, he said.
“I have a lot of family pride,” said Simmons, who is from Omaha, Neb. “My family’s been here and helped build and protect this nation since the beginning.”
Visiting Parry’s grave helped Simmons feel more connected to the man who served in the 148 Field Artillery, 41st Division and died in 1918 of exposure to phosgene gas. The gas may have given Parry extreme pneumonia.