On June 6, 1944, an event took place that forever changed the world: "D-Day", the "Allied Invasion of Normandy" or "Operation Overlord.”

It was the first foothold the World War II Allies had in Europe since the Nazis overran the continent and gained nearly complete political and military control. We observed the fifty sixth anniversary of this momentous event on June 6th of this year with numerous memorial and commemorative services here and abroad.

One may wonder what the particular significance is for the City of Beverly. The significance is that a Beverly boy, one who grew up on the Delaware River and lived on the Riverbank, was a major contributor to the success of the American phase of the landings. His name was Alan G. Kirk and he was an Admiral in the United States Navy.

Although Kirk was born in Philadelphia, his family moved to Beverly prior to the turn of the century and he lived here until entering the U.S. Naval Academy in 1905.

After graduation. from Annapolis and during his career in the Navy he held many different posts including commander of the Amphibious Force of the Atlantic Fleet and commander of the American Forces that invaded Sicily in 1943 with General George Patton.

As a result of his experience he was selected by General Dwight Eisenhower to command the Western Task Force during the D-Day landings.

In this regard, his flagship, the heavy cruiser U.S.S. Augusta, also served as the flagship of General Omar Bradley, commander of the First U.S. Army which landed at Utah and Omaha beaches on that fateful day.

After World War II and his retirement from active military service, Admiral Kirk accepted diplomatic positions around the world.

During the 1940's he became the U.S. Ambassador to Belgium, Minister to Luxembourg and Ambassador to Russia.

In 1962, at the request of President John F. Kennedy, he accepted the post of Ambassador to Nationalist China. He only held this for a short time due to failing health which led to his death on October 15, 1963 at the age of 75.

He is truly a son of whom Beverly can be proud.