FReeper Canteen ~ D-Day June 6, 1944 ~ 05 June 09

Serving The Best Troops And Veterans In The World | The Canteen Crew

[Kathy in Alaska]

~ D-DAY June 6, 1944 ~

Encyclopedia Britannica

NORMANDY INVASION

May 1944 had been chosen at the conference in Washington in May 1943 as the time for the invasion. Difficulties in assembling landing craft forced a postponement until June, but June 5 was fixed as the unalterable date by Eisenhower on May 17. As the day approached and troops began to embark for the crossing, bad weather set in, threatening dangerous landing conditions. After tense debate, Eisenhower and his subordinates decided on a 24-hour delay, requiring the recall of some ships already at sea. Eventually, on the morning of June 5, Eisenhower, assured by chief meteorologist James Martin Stagg of a break in the weather, announced, “O.K. We'll go.” Within hours an armada of 3,000 landing craft, 2,500 other ships, and 500 naval vessels—escorts and bombardment ships—began to leave English ports. That night 822 aircraft, carrying parachutists or towing gliders, roared overhead to the Normandy landing zones. They were a fraction of the air armada of 13,000 aircraft that would support D-Day.

Click for the rest of the story

Canteen Mission Statement

Showing support and boosting the morale of
our military and our allies' military
and family members of the above.
Honoring those who have served before.

January 1944 meeting of Operation Overlord Commanders, General Eisenhower, Walter B. Smith, Omar Bradley, Arthur Tedder, Bernard Montgomery, Trafford Leigh-Mallory and Bertram Ramsay. The Eisenhower Presidential Library

GENERAL EISENHOWER’S MESSAGE SENT JUST PRIOR TO THE INVASION

Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force! You are about to embark upon a great crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers in arms on other fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world.

Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped and battle hardened, he will fight savagely.

But this is the year 1944! Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of 1940-41. The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats, in open battle, man to man. Our air offensive has seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on the ground. Our home fronts have given us an overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions of war, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men. The tide has turned! The free men of the world are marching together to victory!

I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory!

Good Luck! And let us all beseech the blessings of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.

-- Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower

D-DAY AIRBORNE AND BEACH ASSAULT

The Normandy beaches were chosen by planners because they lay within range of air cover, and were less heavily defended than the obvious objective of the Pas de Calais, the shortest distance between Great Britain and the Continent. Airborne drops at both ends of the beachheads were to protect the flanks, as well as open up roadways to the interior. Six divisions were to land on the first day; three U.S., two British and one Canadian. Two more British and one U.S. division were to follow up after the assault division had cleared the way through the beach defenses.

Click for the rest of the story

LINKS

Leaders and Generals

Veteran’s Oral Histories

Combat Video

Interactive Charts & Maps

War Documents

Learning Activities

American Patrol

The Army Air Corps

G I Jive

A Fellow On A Furlough

A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square

CHANCE MEETING BRINGS CAVALRY SERGEANT FACE-TO-FACE WITH D-DAY VETERAN

Sgt. 1st Class Steve Selvage of the 3rd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment gets an autograph from 91-year-old D-Day survivor Ralph Manley in Sainte Mere Eglise, France, June 1. The two met while Selvage was in town to participate in events commemorating the 65th anniversary of the Normandy invasion.

Click for the rest of the story

AIRBORNE MUSEUM HOUSES ONE-OF-A-KIND ARTIFACTS
THAT HONOR HISTORIC JUMP DURING D-DAY INVASION

SAINTE MERE EGLISE, France - This town loves paratroopers - in particular, American paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne and the 101st Airborne Divisions.

It was those two divisions that liberated Sainte Mere Eglise June 7, 1944, making it the first town in France to be liberated during World War II.

To show their appreciation for the veterans, an Airborne Museum opened here in 1964. A non-profit organization, all proceeds go back into the museum to pay for upkeep, new exhibits or extensions. The money is also used to provide decorations and celebrations for the anniversary of D-Day, travel for veterans, and exhibitions outside France. A large donation was also made to The National World War II museum in New Orleans, La.

The rest of the story

Bugle Call Rag

Don’t Sit Under The Apple Tree

Jeep Jockey Jump

Moonlight Serenade

Enlisted Men’s Mess

SOLDIERS PREP TO SUPPORT D-DAY CEREMONIES FOR
65TH ANNIVERSARY OF INVASION

> Senior staff members of Task Force Normandy 65 pose in front of a German gun post at Pointe du Hoc, France. Task Force Normandy 65 is in France providing support and ceremonial command and control for the 65th anniversary of D-Day, June 6. Pointe du Hoc is the site of the 2nd Ranger Battalion's assault on a German stronghold during D-Day. Photo credit Sgt. Fay Conroy, 21st Theater Sustainment Command Public Affairs

Click for the rest of the story

NORMANDY AMERICAN CEMETERY AND MEMORIAL

The Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in France is located on the site of the temporary American St. Laurent Cemetery, established by the U.S. First Army on June 8, 1944 and the first American cemetery on European soil in World War II. The cemetery site, at the north end of its ½ mile access road, covers 172.5 acres and contains the graves of 9,387 of our military dead, most of whom lost their lives in the D-Day landings and ensuing operations. On the Walls of the Missing in a semicircular garden on the east side of the memorial are inscribed 1,557 names. Rosettes mark the names of those since recovered and identified.

Click for the rest of the story

Please remember that The Canteen is here to support
and entertain our troops and veterans and their families,
and is family friendly.

[mylife]

Rory Gallagher~Cradle Rock

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks for the link to the FDR D-Day speech.

[mylife]

Hell Cat~Wayward Child

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, AZ...hope your day was nice enough for you to commute on foot. I think I would like being able to walk to work on occasion.

[tina07]

They are aren’t they? That’s a picture I’ve been waiting to see! My daughter texted with the pic that it looked like they would have a little time together, more than the half hour she thought so that was great.

[tina07]

Of course I'm biased but they are a great looking couple! Here are the t-shirts my daughter made for the event, my grandson is always saying 'wanna play?':~

[HiJinx]

Just wow...

You have good reason for your bias.

I’m glad he’s home.

[tina07]

My daughter is very crafty! She also made him a scrapbook of all that he missed this last year, month by month, it’s beautiful, she’ll give it to him at his welcome home party she’s having in early July.

It was his first deployment, a long year and of course we are so proud of him and thrilled to know he is back on U.S. soil!!

[MoochPooch]

Evening, Kathy.

Just thinking about our heroism during World War II makes me sigh for a lost world.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good mornig, Meg...((HUGS))...thanks for the beautiful remembrance and links

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning, Mooch...((HUGS))...I second your sigh. Our troops are just as heroic as always, but their CinC....

[Kathy in Alaska]

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning/afternoon/evening/night Troops, wherever you are.

Thank you for doing your part to help keep all of us free and safe.

Coffee is always on........

How about a donut?

Cookies?

Veggies?

Sandwich?

[Kathy in Alaska]

God bless and keep safe our troops worldwide.

Good night.

Statler Brothers ~ How Great Thou Art

[Seadog Bytes]

Hi! ...Is it Friday yet?

Below youngsters dropped by late yesterday... Thought someone else might like to see them, too.

[Pusterfuss]

Good morning Kathy. (55)

My Favorite Spring -- Tom Paxton

I used to play baseball. I used to love to play.
The people all said I'd be a winner someday.
We played on the sandlots and the gravel school yards
I once had a tryout with the Saint Louie Cards.

The Cardinals said, "Young man, we sure like your arm."
We believe you can make it. We'll send you down to the farm.
You need a little seasoning, play a little double “A”
We'll give you a chance to show how much you want to play.

[Chorus]
That was my favorite spring. I could do anything.
Full six feet tall and lean, I was just seventeen.
My fastball was nothin' but smoke. My curve ball snapped and broke
My change-up made 'em look bad. They couldn't hit a thing I had.

I was pitching down in Tampa. I was doing really well.
I was in the rotation. I was giving 'em Hell.
I threw a two-hitter, ought to heard people shout
The very next morning Korean war broke out.

On the spur of the moment I didn't have any plans.
I went and joined the Air Force. I wound up in Japan.
I pitched for the squadron. We toured all the camps.
We didn't have any problem. We were all Far East Champs.

[Chorus]

I was throwin' a no-hitter the day McArthur got fired.
They were going down like ten-pins. I really had 'em wired.
Bottom of the seventh throwin' easy as can be
Something snapped in my shoulder. That was all she wrote for me.

Well I finished up my service and I moved back down here.
I married a fine lady and I found a new career
We had us a young son and we watched Jimmy grow
And the first time he asked I taught him everything I know.

[Second Chorus]
And this is my favorite spring. He can do anything.
Full six feet tall and lean, He's just seventeen.
His fastball gives 'em the shakes. His curve ball snaps and brakes.
His change-up makes 'em look bad. People say he takes after his dad!

[E.G.C.]

((HUGS))MOrning, Kathy. How's it going?

A very pleasant good morning to everyone at the Canteen and to all our military at home and abroad. Thanks for your service to our country.

[E.G.C.]

((HUGS))Morning, LUV W. How’s it going?

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[SkyPilot]

I met a D-Day veteran going to France from Germany back in 2004. I was moving out of Germany right at that time, and I gave him a ride to the train station.

Great man - and I'll never forget it. He mailed me for several years afterward.

Looking at Gen. Eisenhower's call for God in that encouraging letter, it almost seems like we were a completely different country back then than we are now.

So sad.