Suozzi Honors Soldiers Interred at Long Island National Cemetery that were Killed During the Normandy Invasion
On Friday, Congressman Tom Suozzi (D – Long Island, Queens) visited Long Island National Cemetery where he paid his respects at the graves of four soldiers from his Congressional District who were killed during the Normandy Invasion.
At each of the four graves, the Congressman laid a wreath along with a handful of sand that he collected and brought home from his trip last week to France to commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day. Congressman Suozzi said a few prayers at each grave and the memorial concluded with a bugler who played “Taps”.
“It is appropriate that we recognize the sacrifice that these men, and many thousands more, made for the freedoms that we enjoy today. What happened so far away and so many years ago affects the way we are free to live today. We must uphold our freedom and democracy and participate in our politics and government in a way that is more noble and worthy of their sacrifice,” said Suozzi.
The Congressman was joined by family members of one of the soldiers, Staff Sergeant John P. Durka, an Army medic from Glen Cove. Staff Sgt. Durka was killed in action while loading a patient for medical evacuation just five days after D-Day. The Durka family shared stories and photos of their uncle that have been passed down through their family. Representatives from local Veteran Service Organizations joined Congressman Suozzi in honoring their fallen brothers.
The four soldiers are:
- Corporal Louis Karpinski of Whitestone, 746th Tank Battalion
- Private Steve Zimma of Woodbury, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division
- Technician 4th Grade Charles V Karilivacz of Glen Cove, 40th Tank Battalion, 7th Armored Division
Last week, Congressman Suozzi participated in a bipartisan Congressional Delegation (CODEL) to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Allied D-Day Invasion in Normandy, France. Suozzi and the Members of Congress paid tribute and partook in ceremonies with Presidents Trump and Macron to honor those lost during the Battle of Normandy.
While in Normandy, Congressman Suozzi visited the American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer and paid his respects to the 21 soldiers from the 3rd Congressional District who are interred there. Suozzi laid wreaths at the grave of Brigadier General Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., son of President Theodore Roosevelt, as well as at the graves of 15 soldiers, and at the “Tablets of the Missing,” which memorializes the five soldiers who are listed as missing in action.