“It Just Hurts Too Much”

Harry Rosenfeld holding a photo of himself when he was 19. Rosenthal sailed on the USS Nevada and aided the troops who went ashore on Utah Beach.

Story by Darren Sweeney

Photos by Jeff Teitler, Associate Professor, Central Connecticut State University

I spent some time with a veteran who sailed with the USS Nevada and aided the troops who went ashore on Utah beach. I wanted to talk to him, since I have a sort of fascination with the science and engineering behind the battle, especially when it came to battleships.

Harry Rosenfeld and Darren Sweeney

The emotion was raw. For example he recalled dead bodies floating by his boat. He had to take several pauses.

He also recalled the flares and shooting that lit up the sky. He never took his kids to see fireworks because of that.

To this day, he stays away from fireworks displays. “It just hurts too much, it brings it all back,” he said.

Harry Rosenfeld 

Expect to see and hear things that will bring you back. He was 19 when he was there (see him holding his photo).

He said he wouldn’t change a thing about his service, but he hopes that the younger generation realizes how things could be so much different today, if that battle and others were not fought.

He also says that it is an amazing and beautiful place to visit. He was not happy (to say the least) to see the Omaha Golf Course/resort.

He just shook his head and didn’t say too much.