A memorial has been unveiled to American troops who found a home from home here in Leicester 69 years ago before leaving to fight in the liberation of Europe.
Veterans of the US Army's 82nd Airborne Division were among those gathered for the unveiling of the monument in Scaptoft.
Two regiments of the division lived in camps just outside the city in early 1944 as they prepared for operations in the run-up to the D-Day landings.
The 325th Glider Infantry Regiment (GIR) was camped at Scraptoft, while the men of the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment – nicknamed the Devils in Baggy Pants –were stationed in Evington.
There were tears of pride and gratitude during a short dedication service held in Edith Cole Memorial Park, in the centre of the village, on Saturday.
Among those who made the journey from the United States was Herb Heubschen, now 93, a veteran of the 325th GIR, from Beloit, Wisconsin.
"I've got a lot to thank Leicester for," he said. "Not only is there the kindness and hospitality shown to us by the people of Scraptoft, but I also met my late wife here – Iris Betts, of Paget Road.
"She was selling tickets for a dance at the Allied Services Club, in Leicester, and I asked her out. We dated for four months before we left for Normandy."
Staff Sergeant Heubschen, a radio operator, was wounded in the shoulder by German artillery in the town of St Mere Eglise the day after D-Day.
"That probably saved his life," said his son, Don, 59, the younger of the couple's three children.
"His company commander was killed in the explosion and the two radio operators after my father were also killed.
"Being here today is so special. The people of Leicester took care of my dad and all the other young soldiers who were so far from home.
"That they are remembered in this way after all this time is incredibly moving."
Lieutenant Colonel Edwin J Ostberg was commanding the 2nd Battalion of the 325th when he was killed protecting his men's retreat on February 2, 1945, during the Battle of the Bulge, in Belgium, the last major German offensive in the west.
His daughter, Betsy Matthes Ostberg, 71, from New York, said: "As a column of tanks approached, he climbed on to a tank to provide cover fire. He was hit by a shell and was killed instantly. That's why I'm here today, to honour the men he died trying to save, and to say goodbye to him.
"The people of Scraptoft and Leicester were incredible. They took these young men into their homes and hearts – and for the many it would be their last memory of such kindness and generosity."
Joining the veterans and their relatives at the service – led by Father Andrew Poole of Scaptoft All Saints Church – were villagers, British veterans, Royal Air Force cadets, and a colour guard of serving US soldiers from the 709th Military Intelligence Battalion, based in Yorkshire.
Thanks was also given to the architect of the memorial project, 26-year-old battle historian Adam Berry, from Ashby, who raised £1,200 with the help of veterans, their families and donations to pay for the memorial.
"What a great job Adam's done," said Peter Elliott, 63, chairman of Scraptoft Parish Council. "These brave young men will never be forgotten."
