Text and photos by Josh Marks
A memorial ceremony was held at Arlington National Cemetery on May 28 to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Salzburg and Austria by the U.S. Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, nicknamed “Rock of the Marne.”
Veterans who liberated Salzburg were joined by Austrian Ambassador to the U.S. Hans Peter Manz, Mayor of Salzburg Heinz Schaden, president of the society of the 3rd Infantry Division, David Mills and others. Following remarks at the amphitheater, a wreath laying ceremony took place at the 3rd Infantry Division monument and a wreath was layed at Audie Murphy’s gravesite. Murphy was a WWII 3rd Infantry Division vet who was one of the most highly decorated soldiers in American history.
The ceremony was hosted by U.S. Army retired Capt. C. Monika Stoy. The Salzburg veterans in attendance were John Miller II, John Keller, Robert Dutil and William Weinberg.
“I had to participate as a Jew. I couldn’t sit on the sidelines,” said Weinberg, 94, who traveled from New Jersey for the ceremony.
