D-Day, 74 Years Later: Remembering the Heroic Chaplains and Priests of Normandy

Aleteia ^ | 6/6/18 | Katherine Ruddy

[marshmallow]

These incredible images remind us of the brave sacrifice of thousands and the important role of chaplains and priests during the aftermath

Seventy-four years after the Allied invasion of Normandy, we remember and honor those who served during the largest seaborne invasion in history. On that one day, over 10,000 Allied soldiers were killed, wounded or declared missing in action. In the course of the Normandy campaign, which lasted through August 21, 1944, Allied forces landed more than two million men in northern France and suffered more than 226,000 casualties.

Chaplains and Catholic priests played an important role in providing essential spiritual and psychological guidance during the days and weeks that followed. Unarmed, they courageously put themselves on the front lines to say Mass, offer pastoral care for active and wounded soldiers, and provide last rites for the dying and prayers for those killed.

[George from New England]

“Unarmed, they courageously put themselves on the front lines to say Mass”

I read unarmed. Can anyone verify that or is that the gun grabbers from the AP adding color ?

[pke]

Chaplains are “noncombatants” so they carry no weapon. The chaplain’s assistant however can, though...

[Right_Rev]

“
For force protection, they have a Chaplains Assistant who carries a gun specifically to protect the Chaplain! ... “Chaplains do not go through Basic Combat Training.””

[TMA62]

[bethelgrad]

I am a current active duty Navy chaplain. We are completely unarmed 100% of the time. I walked and rode thousands of miles in Iraq. Being surrounded by dozens of Marines lowered my anxiety significantly.

[MadMax, the Grinning Reaper]

No “Millenials” on those beaches that day!

Only brave American, Canadian and British soldiers (possibly a French unit too).

Thanks Obama for “fundamentally transforming America” from a good, strong, self-confident nation into a country of pansies, wimps, millennial failures, drug addicts and commies. “Yes you did”!

Our family - Iwo; Nam; Iraq/Kosovo. Nuff said!

[Salvation]

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[Beowulf9]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSiAKC8Rsws

[cld51860]

There is a great scene in the film “Battleground” involving a chaplain leading soldiers in prayer during the Battle of the Bulge.

[Biggirl]

....And THANK-YOU President Donald J. Trump for REBUILDING at this present time our armed forces!

[George from New England]

So I guess its safe to say ... the Chaplain’s assistant acts as a bodyguard. Like Bloomberg has bodyguards !!