"He'd finish the prayer and then they would finish whatever skirmish or battle or event they were in the middle of. Some of them made it, some of them didn't, but the ones that did not make it, they got to meet Jesus through him."
Initially, Sgt. Mann was reluctant to discuss his military experience, and would often make jokes relating to his service.
"He would say, 'Boy, I couldn't wait to get off that (Omaha) beach. We were out of hotdogs and the ice cream was melting,'" said Miles. That all changed about a decade ago, after he was asked by a grandchild on which side of World War II he had fought.
Realizing that history was at risk of being forgotten, he began to open up more about his service, and shared his story at high schools and to his family. In addition to Normandy, Mann also served in the Battle of the Bulge and assisted in the liberation of two concentration camps. He was awarded three Purple Hearts and seven Bronze Stars, which enabled him to be buried at Arlington.
Sgt. Mann's priorities of God, country, and family will leave a lasting legacy after his death.
"I think that I could give one perspective on it. It's Dad's statement was this: You know, my brother is him," said Carl II, gesturing around.
"My brothers were willing to die for freedom. He said, 'but there was only one who died for our sins.' And that was his faith."
Christine Rousselle is a former DC Correspondent for Catholic News Agency. Prior to working at CNA, she was the managing web editor of Townhall.com; she has a BA in political science from Providence College.