Sea turtles released in honor of D-Day anniversary

SURF CITY, NC (WWAY) — Hundreds gathered in Surf City Wednesday morning as the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center released a new batch of turtles.

The fact that it fell on the 74th anniversary of the Normandy invasion is no coincidence. Two of the turtles bore the names of servicemen who landed on that beach in France.

“To see them gain their freedom, just as the semblance of D-Day was an effort to gain freedom for the world, so that was very symbolic,” said Nancy Fahey.

Fahey released a turtle named ‘Hutch’ after her late father, World War II Navy veteran Ed Hutchinson, who helped troops land on Omaha Beach on D-Day. And just like his daughter, Hutchinson was a turtle lover.

“In 2015, he came out here to help us release a little turtle named ‘Seashore.’ He was 92-years-old, and even though it was very difficult for him to walk through the sand with that turtle, he wanted to be here with her.”

The healing power of honey, harvested from Hutchinson’s own bee hives, helped to rehabilitate ‘Seashore.’

“Honey has anti-bacterial, anti-microbial properties,” said Fahey.

Although she has high hopes for his future, Fahey says part of her was sad to let go of her beloved ‘Hutch.’

“It was just one of the saddest, happiest things you could ever do, and I just wish him a good life,” said Fahey.

To find out when the next release will be, visit the center’s Facebook page.