Posted on 06/06/2004 5:32:37 AM PDT by Kozak
SUPREME HEADQUARTERS ALLIED EXPEDITIONARY FORCE
Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force!
You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes 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 and devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full Victory!
Good luck! And let us beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.
SIGNED: Dwight D. Eisenhower
Order of the Day June 6, 1944
It just seemed right today.
Thank you all who served.
Some gave all, all gave some.
Thanks for posting. It is right for today. I printed it out and plan to read a few items about D-Day today to my children. Your post will be one of them. Thanks again!
Today we reflect back on two men who fovever shaped this country. Two former Republican Presidents who changed the shape of the GOP. People forget that before Ike won the Presidency in 1952, the Republicans were on the verge of disappearing, as the Taft-wing of the party was pushing it more and more to the fringe. Ike's sense of pragmatism that served him well in WWII brought the GOP back to life, and eventually paved the way for the Reagan Revolution. Ike's performance at D-Day tends to overshadow the important contributions he made as a President.
It is somehow so fitting that Reagan passed on this momentous anniversary. Somewhere he's with all the boys, and Ike, and FDR who he so admired. And he can be proud that he carried on their battle for freedom and took down the surviving horror from WW2, the Soviet Union.
In that time Giants Walked the Earth....
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