NORMANDY, France — Senior leaders often call the son of a Vidalia couple, and those who serve with him, a part of the next “greatest generation.”

Army Pfc. Dexter B. Johnese, son of Curtis and Deborah Johnese of Clark Drive, recently traveled to now silenced battlefields with names like Omaha and Utah Beaches to observe the 65th Commemoration of D-Day.

Johnese, a military policeman, and more than 1,000 service members from posts and bases throughout Europe and the United States converged on the historic Normandy area to honor those who served, and in many cases made the ultimate sacrifice, on June 6, 1944.

Week-long ceremonies took place throughout the region in such historic places as St. Mere Eglise, Omaha and Utah Beaches and small villages in the area that were vital to the success of the allies push into Europe against Nazi Germany.

President Obama met with leaders from Great Britain, France and Canada at a special ceremony at the American Cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach.

Celebrations at small towns throughout Normandy were capped by a parachute demonstration from airborne paratroopers representing many of the units involved with the D-Day operations.

“My responsibilities during the 65th anniversary of D-Day activities in Normandy were to help secure the area, and to help in any way possible,” Johnese said. “It was an honor and a great opportunity to be able to see the events that paid respect to the soldiers who fought and sacrificed their lives on D-Day.”

For Johnese, it was hard to imagine that the tranquil farming villages and pristine beaches were once the scene of carnage and destruction that took the lives of more than 4,000 Americans in just one day.

“The beaches and bunkers made a big impression on me, just to see all of the holes left by bombs and the blown-up bunkers left me with a very surreal feeling,” Johnese said.

Today, the 360 miles of coastline that makes up Normandy is mostly lush farmland, bustling market towns and historic landmarks that commemorate important battles that took place more than six decades ago.

The residents of the area have never forgotten the sacrifices of the Americans who fought here and embrace today’s soldiers just as heartily as those who liberated them.

“Normandy, as a whole, is an extraordinary place to visit. All around, I have never seen a more beautiful place, and the people there were so friendly to us. They have a lot of respect for American soldiers, and are grateful for the part we played in their freedom because of D-Day.”

Johnese is normally stationed in Bamberg, Germany, with the 630th Military Police Company, where he works as a military policeman. He has served in the Army for a year and a half.