Heritage of Freedom to feature two combat recountings July 16

  • Published
  • By Kevin Gilmartin
  • 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  A decorated veteran of World War II and a lieutenant from the 66th Medical Group who earned distinction as a combat controller in Afghanistan are the featured speakers at the next Heritage of Freedom speaker series July 16 at the Aero Club Hangar.

Franklin Simon was a Private First Class in the Army on June 6, 1944, when he participated in the assault on Normandy during the D-Day invasion. He went on to participate in a number of battles in Europe during the war, and in May 1945, he helped liberate the Mauthausen-Gusen Concentration Camp in Linz, Austria. The focus of his short presentation will be his memories of the D-Day invasion and the fight at Pointe du Hoc.

First Lt. Mike Sciortino served as an enlisted combat controller in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. He now serves as a physician's assistant with Hanscom's 66th Medical Group.

The Heritage of Freedom event will immediately follow Electronic Systems Center commander Lt. Gen. Ted Bowlds' Commander's Call at the hangar, which begins at 3 p.m. The speaker series is expected to begin shortly after 4 p.m. All Hanscom people are welcome to attend.

The Heritage of Freedom Speaker Series, introduced by 66th Air Base Wing Commander Col. David 'Iron' Orr, is a free event held quarterly that typically features three speakers, each of whom discuss their experiences serving in combat or while deployed. Their hard-hitting 15-20 minute presentations are followed by a question and answer period and then informal discussion with these heroes. The event features free beverages and snacks.

"What an incredible combination of Heritage of Freedom speakers to follow General Bowlds. You will learn first-hand from an Army Ranger what it felt like to embark D-DAY on the beach of Pointe du Hoc and scale steep hills under enemy fire. Lieutenant Sciortino will describe how he earned the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart in OEF while coordinating airstrikes and saving countless Soldiers, Airmen, and Marines," said Colonel Orr. "This is an exceptional professional development opportunity for all Hanscom airmen and civilian members. I guarantee you will be inspired and motivated by the accounts of these incredible warriors."