Posted on 06/03/2004 5:57:25 AM PDT by veronica
After the jump they should march into Paris and accept Chirac's surrender.
BUMP!
Now that would be cool!! /jk ;-)
I was enroute to the 101st when they participated in the 50th anniversary 10 years ago; so heard all the stories from our participants when they returned. Say what you will about the French (and I've said a lot of it myself!), but the local population in the Normandy area treated our veterans and current 101st troopers like kings during this event.
I watched a special on the Pathfinders last night on the History Channel. They had over a 50% loss in their group, the highest for the war.
Wasn't the 101st also the basis for "The Longest Day"
My dad was in the 101 and would often talk about D-Day. According to family legend my grandmother was at the movies when the newsreals about the jump were shown. She screamed and fainted because she saw her son in the newreal. She had thought from his letters that he was in Maine guarding the coastline.
How neat (in a historical sort of way)
I bet a lot of moms had no idea what their sons were actually doing in the war.
Yes it was, the reason she thought he was in Maine was to keep the information on D-Day secret. While I heard many stories about the war I probably got the sanatized version to spare me much of the realities he went through. But he was very proud of his service. He painted the Screaming Eagle on his garage door. This was on there for many years. When he died, my mom put in a new garage door. This upset the neighbors since it was a local landmark, and they told visiters they lived so many door up or down from the home with the eagle on the garage.
General James Gavin-82nd Airborne, was from my home town in Pennsylvania. He was beloved by his men. In combat he jumped with them.
I think the Longest Day was an overview of DDay from the perspective of all the units.
Band of Brothers by Ambrose was solely written from the perspective of Easy Company in the 101st Abn.
""...The American soldiers will receive a warm welcome by German Machine Gun Fire, to remember the good old days."
What exactly is the point of your comment?
The planned landing of US paratroopers in the Normany without German MG fire not realistic. It would be a truly commemorative event if the other major party played a role in this event. Of course, my proposal was a joke.
What a great line !
Joking about such matters does not reflect well on you.
My uncle jumped in with the 82nd Abn, the division I later served in. His last name was Schaidt, I believe Schadt in the old country. He was fortunate enough to survive the entire war and spoke solemnly and reverently about his friends that were killed and also the Germans that he killed.
Please consider the realities of this unfortunate war.
I was not making fun out of those who fought in that war. This war was horrible, and I´m glad for everyone who survived it! My apology if I´ve hurt your feelings.
George Tenant Head of the CIA just resigned. Will leave in July Fox
You have not hurt my feelings, I just didn't appreciate joke pertaining to those who served.
After seeing Band of Brothers, my eyes tear when I read or hear about the 101. The interviews at the end of the shows are the most gripping interviews I have ever heard.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.