My thoughts on the Normandy anniversary

[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.

[real saxophonist]

My dad was a 22 year old LT(j.g.) in command of an LCT on Utah Beach. He had bulldozers and TNT on his boat.

He and his boat were on the way to the Pacific to prepare for Japan when the war ended.

[PzLdr]

My Pop's unit was slated to go also, but either the points system or, more likely , the Japanese surrender after the bombs saved him from that. Instead, he won three grand in a crap game coming back to the U.S, and used it to buy the furniture when he married my Mom.

[philled]

We were very close to my wife's grandfather. He passed several years ago and took with him much of his experience of D-Day. He did attend the 50th Anniversary (the first time he had been back to France) and was a little more forthcoming afterwards. He was quite reticent about the mission and many of his stories were from stateside.

When asked about his experience in Europe, he would usually say something like "We weren't there to be tourists." and go on to light-heartedly steer the conversation into another direction.

After his death we were able to fill in some details through his letters to his wife (and yet-to-be-seen baby daughter [my mother-in-law])written from a hospital bed during a lengthy recovery period.

He was a young man sent into inconceivably difficult and horrific situations and did not emerge unscathed. He was one of the most optimistic and good-natured people I have ever met. His faith in God, love for his family, his country, and his fellow man effused from him and was shared with all. I think of him, the others that were not as fortunate, and those who serve on this day. May God bless.

[TexasPatriot8]

Boy I sure like that. Where's it from? That's very elloquent.

[TexasPatriot8]

Wow that's absolutely incredible! You can't plan things like that. Amazing! I bet he almost fell over when he saw that picture in the callendar. I would have loved to have seen his reaction when he saw it. :) That definitely is priceless. I sure bet no matter how many years go by, he'll keep that callendar, and someday you'll get it. Did you try getting one for you too? That's really cool. Maybe you can scan the pic and post it sometime. That would be really cool. Good call getting him that callendar. ;)

[TexasPatriot8]

Wow on the Yorktown? That's awesome. Does he have any pics of her? I have always wondered what it was like being on those carriers for weeks at a time back then, hunting the Japs and being hunted. The Pacific is one heck of a huge place for sure.

[TexasPatriot8]

That's something. You saying that reminded me of a friend of my parents that passed away about 12 years ago, John Andrews. REALLY neat man, they'd play cards, hearts mostly, for hours on weekends and I'd play and listen to them all talk and I remember one time clearly the war and Europe came up, and my Dad would talk about his experiences in Vietnam and John his in Europe. He was an M-4 Sherman Tank gunner. My Dad said something like if he ever wanted to go back and revisit the places he was in the war. And I remember John said, "H**l no! It was a pathetic f*****g mess! And then being shot at by tanks! I have no d**n interest in going back there." Then my Dad said, "Well John, they've cleaned it up since then you know?" ;) And John said "I don't give a s**t. Still don't want to go back. Be my luck I'd go back and some old kraut would decide to take up his old hobbies, and there I am without a tank." :) It was really funny. He had some very colorful stories. :) I bet it was similar to that with your wife's grandfather. I'm sorry he passed away. They are easily one of the most amazing of America's generation, MAYBE second only to the Civil War and Revolutionary War veterans. EVERYONE should, if they haven't already, sit and talk to a veteran of WWII that saw a decent amount of action and get their thoughts and listen to their stories. It is literally talking to a legend and getting first hand accounts of the most pivotal world changing war in history.

[philled]

You are absolutely correct. I hope that there is some sort of a legacy project going on to capture the stories and memories of WWII veterans before they are gone.

I definitely married above myself and I feel fortunate to have known my wife's grandfather. He was a great and grateful man. He had a heart attack and small stroke a couple years prior to his death. Visiting him in hospital afterwards he'd say "I'm doing just fine but there's some poor guy down the hall that had have a QUADRUPLE bypass!" (after he himself just had a double bypass and pacemaker installed).

Reading the wartime recovery letters, it was revealed that he'd taken that tack for over fifty years. While recovering he'd written several times that while he was doing just fine there was "some other poor guy who had it bad..." while probably wondering if he was going to be able to keep his legs and, if so, whether they'd function.

I think because of him I so appreciate those that visit Walter Reed, those who freep Code Pink, or help in other ways. Laura Ingraham shares the stories of the men and womend and periodically interviews those recovering from injuries sustained in Afghanistan or Iraq on her show.

Earlier this year, my wife and I used a week of her parent's timeshare in Mexico. My mother-in-law was very concerned that we'd have difficulty getting tickets through my airline miles for the trip. I explained to her what "Operation Hero" (www.heromiles.org) was and that my miles had already been put to better use. She just smiled and said that her parents would have been proud. I don't know if they necessarily would have been proud- I suspect they would have done the same thing without thinking twice about it.

[LeoWindhorse]

"Did you try getting one for you too?"

of course! In fact , the company ' Bomber Legends' was so kind, after I told them this amazing true story, they sent me
2 'comp' copies of the calender gratis . Really fine folks ,them.

[Old Professer]

I wrote on the wing, so to speak; actually printed it out - don't often do that.

[TexasPatriot8]

Just saw this. That's great! I was hoping you were able to get a copy. That was super nice of the company to do that. That's an invaluable keepsake for sure. :) Glad you got those. You should get your Dad to sign one or both of them on the cover or on the pic where he's shown. That would make them even more amazing to have forever in your family. :)

[TexasPatriot8]

Well it was really good. :)

[Old Professer]

Thank you.

[LeoWindhorse]

You should get your Dad to sign one or both of them on the cover or on the pic where he's shown. That would make them even more amazing to have forever in your family. :)

Great idea! I'll do it !

Thanks man