SoKY’s Choice: Operation Anvil keeps World War II history alive

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — The sounds of gunfire and military commands filled Phil Moore Park on Saturday as reenactors brought a World War II battle back to life.

Operation Anvil recreated the Battle of Southern France, also known as Operation Dragoon, giving families a closer look at the Allied invasion of Southern France in 1944.

Ron Cummings, executive director of Honoring Our Heroes, said the event is rooted in remembrance.

“The first thing we’re committed to is honoring our veterans,” Cummings said. “I think it’s important we live in the greatest country in the world because of the sacrifice of those individuals that protect it and kept our freedoms.”

The annual reenactment brings together participants from several states. Many spend months preparing uniforms, vehicles and battle plans in an effort to recreate history as accurately as possible.

Rick Dickerson, MC for Operation Anvil, said authenticity is a major part of the event.

“The uniforms and equipment are 100% authentic as far as being reproductions,” Dickerson said. “The manufacturers that make them have used original uniforms to make copies of them, and they painstakingly make the uniforms to be exact replicas.”

For Sandi Rosenzweig, the event carried a deeper personal meaning. She attended to honor her late father, Cpl. Henry “Hank” Young, who fought in Operation Dragoon during World War II.

“He was one of those,” Rosenzweig said. “Two days later, he actually received a Bronze Star and got a promotion for his actions during that battle. … This journey back to France brought my father to life for me in a way that I never knew him.”

Organizers said planning for next year’s Operation Anvil begins as soon as this year’s reenactment ends.