Since 2011, Mr. Albert H. Small has sponsored in affiliation with National History Day the Normandy Sacrifice for Freedom: The Albert H. Small Student & Teacher Institute.  In this program, fifteen student-teacher teams embarked on a life changing journey towards the past. Throughout the institute, the teams participated in a thorough study of the invasion of Normandy and World War II. The selection into this program consisted of completing a detailed application process. Student/teacher teams from the entire nation applied to be selected into this prestigious summer institute. Once chosen, the members were to read from numerous sources and partake in online discussions with the other institute members. In addition, we researched a fallen soldier from one's state. For approximately two weeks, the teams immersed themselves into the history of World War II in both Washington D.C. and Normandy. Charlyne Cuyar and Yanira Borges were the student and teacher chosen from Antilles High School, Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico. When deciding which fallen soldier to research, the team sought a soldier from New York, with the hopes that the soldier might have hispanic ancestry, since there was no fallen soldier from Puerto Rico buried in Normandy. The man chosen was Pedro Rodón, who died a year after the Normandy campaign. Research has shown that he had links to Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. He enlisted in New York in 1943. Although researching information about this soldier proved to be a challenge since there was no birth certificate, the entire process demonstrated to be a one of a kind experience. Pedro Rodón represents the sacrifices of the World War II generation. It is thanks to Mr. Albert H. Small, Dr. Tom Long, Dr. Cathy Gorn, Nathan Huegen, Lynne O'Hara, Erika Washington and others that all of this was possible. As a sign of gratitude, this website is dedicated to these individuals and all of the brave men who served in World War II and especially the Normandy campaign. Last but not least, this website is dedicated in honor of private Pedro Rodón whose sacrifice made possible the protection of our freedoms.

 “[Nothing] can ever replace the memory; of your sacrifice… you did not die in vain”

Special thanks to:
 The Rodón family in Wales, especially Margaret Rodón and Barbara Rodón for all their support in our search for Pedro. Thank you for welcoming us to Pedro's life! Without your help, there would be no story about Pedro to tell.
Also...
Loraine Colón (Antilles High School teacher) for following Pedro's footsteps as far as Dominican Republic.
Hon. Raymond Acosta for opening a small window to Pedro as a soldier.

Website created by Charlyne Cuyar (student) with the assistance of Mrs.Yanira Borges from Antilles High School, Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico.
Normandy Institute Class 2013