Posted on 06/06/2006 8:54:28 PM PDT by TexasPatriot8
I couldn't go to bed tonight without saying something about the anniversary of Normandy. There can NEVER be enough said about that incomprehensable sacrifice. So, here's my two cents.
Thank you, and God bless you, to those who 62 years ago this morning, stood and fought through what is arguably the worst single assault in the history of mankind. What is not arguable is the fact that in doing so, they helped guarantee the freedom and liberty and privilege to live as we see fit without persecution, that we as Americans all enjoy, and sometimes, many times, take for granted. Without the brave men who stormed the beaches of Normandy that morning, and those like them that fought for our nations ideals and principles before, and those who do so today in Afghanistan and Iraq, fighting those who would destroy us, wherever they are, we would not enjoy the lives we do in this country. And whether they realize it or not, those among us who exercise those liberties to protest the war, do so thanks to the spilled blood of those same men, before, and today, for truly it is the soldier, the sailor, the Marine, and the pilot, who was and is today the guarantor of our freedoms, liberties and existence without persecution, not the protester. For ironically, the protester would be imprisoned, tortured, and executed for their desire to speak their mind, were they under the forms of government which would rule us all with an iron fist, were it not for the many wars which protesters always oppose, and the selfless men and women who stand up to fight them. God bless the patriots who stand up and defend, fight, and often times die, to preserve that most precious gift. God pity the souls who are too weak willed to understand, REALLY understand, the gift which the blood of those who are much greater than themselves, has purchased for us. "Greater love hath no man, than that he would lay his life down for his brother." THAT, is a man who stormed the beaches. God bless them.
D-Day Learning Links:
The following links are useful for locating information on World War II and D-Day.
http://normandy.eb.com/
This site describes the buildup for D-Day, the invasion, and the breakout into northern France. The site also includes a history behind the movie Saving Private Ryan
http://www.isidore-of-seville.com/d-day/2.html
"D-Day on the Web" includes a wide array of topics on D-Day from the planning and preparation to the use of air power and naval support during the invasion. The site also includes personal accounts from veterans.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/dday
This PBS web-site includes letters from the front and a glimpse into the experiences of paratroopers during the invasion.
http://www.edmondsun.com/Krt/dday/
This web-site is an excellent resource that includes a chronology, maps, and a brief overview of the invasion.
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0206/
This National Geographic interactive web-site provides a selection of oral histories on D-Day.
http://www.americandday.org
This web-site provides excellent photos of Normandy.
from:
http://www.dday.org/html/learning_links.php
We will never forget
Does anyone know if there is ANY observance of D Day in Europe????
Yes, in France:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/world/3943082.html
Likely not in Germany, although there should be there too.
Thank you.
My Pop, rest in peace, landed on Utah Beach, first wave. Told me all about it [and like many vets, made the stories he told funny]. He'll be gone five years in July. Miss hgim every day.
my dear old Dad is among those brave men . At 92 years young
he is still going pretty darn strong! He was with the 9th Air Force on that fateful day , not on the beaches , but they sure saw some s#|+ as well , and it went on...all the way until V.E. Day . He tells me the Battle of the Bulge was the worst , in his personal experience. God Bless the all , living and passed, with my heartfelt thanks and deepest appreciation .
God bless your Pop, he's a hero. I'm sure sorry he's gone. You're really lucky to have had someone like him. :)
I just bought a book entitled Normandy: The Real Story (How Ordinary Allied soldiers defeated Hitler) by Brig. Gen. Denis Whitaker, et al.
It uses archival data, oral histories and new interviews.
"It was [their] valor, their endurance, and their ability to adapt that won the battle of Normandy and launched the liberation of Western Europe."
Wow that's great he's doing that good. It sure is something being fortunate to talk to guys that were there and saw it all first hand. I bet you're really proud of him. :) Please thank him.
It must really be something when you guys talk to them and they talk about it. Please give them my thanks and pass on my little paragraph to them if possible.
Against all odds, and against what ought to have passed for common sense, a decision was made, knowing once committed, would forever be remembered; the world of men, allied toward the goal of freedom, stumbled forward, gathering strength with each proud step so that we here now might breathe the pure sweet air that comes about on special days when we take the time to see what it is upon which we stand.
Don't want to forget about the B-17 pilots that were sitting ducks for the 109s prior to the P-51. It amazes me how brave men were, knowingly going into battle with almost certain death to support their country and their way of life.
Thanks ! I will .
Here's a little story for ya , I ordered a subscription to Bomber Legends magazine for Pop , he loves to read and WW2 is still biggest thing that ever happened in his life. Along with the subscription I included a 2006 WW2 USAAF bombers calender for him in the order. Thought nothing more about it . About 2 weeks later he calls me to say , he got the calender and turning thru the photos he came to one that showed his old Bomb Group and he WAS IN the Picture ! It really floored the old warrior (in a great way) What are the odds of that? He'd never even seen the photo before but remembered it being taken.
It was even the month of June ! Talk about 'priceless' ....
Hitler united the world in his defeat and history has divided it in his memory; his single act of suicide planted the seed of doubt which gardens grow.
My Grandfather served on the USS Yorktown during WWII. Still to this day, I love hearing his stories about what it was like to fight the Japs.
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