A Hero's Journey: Charles Shay's Legacy of Courage and Peace

Charles Shay, a brave Native American veteran, recently passed away at his home in France at the age of 101.

Heroic Actions on D-Day

• Member of the Penobscot tribe from Maine
• Saved many lives as a medic on D-Day
• Received the Silver Star for bravery
• Awarded France's highest honor, the Legion of Honor, in 2007

Life and Legacy

• Lived in France since 2018, near the Normandy beaches
• Honored by the Charles Shay Memorial group as a loving family man, hero, and amazing human being
• Witnessed immense loss and destruction on D-Day
• Continued rescuing the wounded despite the horrors
• Reenlisted after the war due to challenging conditions for Native Americans in Maine

A Life of Service and Resilience

• Fought in the Korean War
• Participated in nuclear testing
• Worked at the International Atomic Energy Agency
• Remained silent about WWII experiences for over 60 years
• Began sharing his story in 2007, spreading a message of peace

Honoring the Fallen

• Stood alone at commemoration ceremonies during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Performed a sage-burning ceremony on a bluff overlooking Omaha Beach
• Passed on this tradition to Julia Kelly, another Native American veteran, in 2022

A Testament to Peace

• Expressed sadness at the return of war to Europe
• His life's work was a testament to the enduring hope for peace
• Legacy lives on, reminding us of the importance of courage, service, and the pursuit of a peaceful world