Hero. It is a word often overused. Many times, it is thrown about for opinions of celebrities, the play of athletes or for simply performing normal duties of a job or position.
Tuesday, I had a chance to see a true hero honored.
Dick Grout, retired businessman and resident of Traverse City, received the French Legion of Honor award. Founded by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, the award is the highest honor given in recognition to the French Republic, with the decree signed by their President.
I’ve only known Dick for the five-plus years I have been in Leelanau County. A fellow Suttons Bay/Leelanau Rotarian, Dick is an almost-weekly attendee of the Thursday meetings. The club celebrated Dick on his 103rd birthday in November 2023.
To support fundraising efforts for Rotary, Dick has jumped out of airplanes. By parachuting, he raised money and awareness for community causes supported by the club. His most recent jump was when he was younger. At ONLY 101 years old, Dick made the jump in May of 2022.
Dick, as part of Company B, 112th Engineer Combat Battalion, was among the first troops landing on Omaha Beach on D-Day, June 6, 1944. He led a platoon of Combat Engineers onto the beach. Their mission: remove obstacles, including a wall constructed to prevent access up the hill and off the beach.
The efforts of those troops literally opened the way for freedom in Europe and assured peace throughout the world. We are forever grateful to the young men that faced death that day. More than 4,400 allied troops, including 2,500 US soldiers, died on D-Day. We will forever be indebted to them.
At a Rotary meeting, hearing Dick describe the events on Omaha Beach, and the days to come, was one of the most moving talks I have experienced. We all have seen the old newsreels and many movies depicting the events of D-Day. To hear a surviving participant describe the day was awe-inspiring.
According to ‘Uncle Google’, there are fewer than 119,000 WWII veterans still alive in the United States. We are blessed to have one in our area, especially one that remains so active in our community.
Dick continues to be a positive influence. Jim Bensley, Director of International Services and Learning at Northwestern Michigan College, spoke at the ceremony honor Dick. He said he attempts to bring real life experience to his students as they study international affairs. In preparation for a study trip to France, he assigned several books, movies, and resources as background reference. The most touching resource for the students? - A personal discussion group with Dick Grout, sharing first-hand experiences of the horrible day on Omaha Beach.
Dick remains active in our communities. His booming voice still is there when he speaks, giving him immediate command of the room. At the Tuesday ceremony, the speakers used a podium and microphone for their presentation. At times, the audio system in Kirkbride Hall wasn’t the easiest to hear. But not Dick. Standing in front of the podium, a short, somewhat-frail 103-year-old man, his booming voice without the aid of a sound system brought immediate attention from the audience.
Dick, as he always does, humbly thanked the French government and all his family, friends and community members present to honor him on Tuesday.
Our friend Dick Grout was one of the fortunate soldiers that survived the bloody assault on Omaha Beach nearly 80 years ago. In the months that followed he led troops in clearing access and building roads and bridges to help liberate France and defeat Nazi Germany.
Dick has performed many heroic deeds in his lifetime. Equally important is that Dick is a gentleman, a caring individual, and a role model for all of us. You will not meet a nicer person than Dick Grout.
Congratulations Dick, on receiving the French Legion of Honor medal, and for all you have done.
We, as a community, are so fortunate to have a true hero among us.
