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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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

[HiJinx]

A good friend of mine, Army CPT Dean Grable, used to wrestle in the Greco-Roman 145.5-pound division.

[Kathy in Alaska]

A U.S. Air Force Guardian Angel team from the 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron provides security during a joint mass casualty exercise near Camp Lemonier, Djibouti, on May 20, 2009. The tactical recovery team worked alongside U.S. Marines from the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit to recover simulated personnel in an austere environment. DoD photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jesse B. Awalt, U.S. Navy. (Released)

Austere?.......I guess so!

[Kathy in Alaska]

How cool.....Go Army!!

[AZamericonnie]

Freedoms that we now enjoy
Born from D-Day’s terrible labour
Creating debt to soldiers living and dead
That can never be repaid.
Except that we are thankful,
And promise never to forget"

[Seadog Bytes]

RE: Curious, did he see you, smell you, or hear you?

I took those pics at about 80mm zoom with a Canon Rebel XT. They were only a stone's throw away, and I would be surprised if they couldn't hear the shutter going off. ...but they went back to browsing (...um...in the previous sense of the word, of course) afterward, so apparently, I didn't interrupt their supper much. ('Okay, smile for the camera... Okay. Got it. You can go back to what you were doing, now.' ...grin)

I can attest that they did seem to be chewing their food pretty well...   :))

[AZamericonnie]

Those shirts are adorable!

Welcome home SSG Mitchell & thank you for your service!

[Kathy in Alaska]

"Just heard from my daughter (1Lt Becky). (SSG) Dusty has shell fragments lodged in the spine touching the aorta. They are flying her to Germany tomorrow. He was part of the quick reaction team that got ambushed. He is really going to need the prayers now. Thanks for everything so far."

KEEP THOSE PRAYERS COMING!!

[fatima]

Gosh,we will pray Kathy.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Wow...Seadog...((HUGS))...you gots critters!!! Thanks for sharing. Thank goodness it IS Friday.

Hope you and Mrs Seadog have a nice weekend awaiting you.

[ConorMacNessa]

Prayers going up!

Lamh Foistenach Abu!

[Kathy in Alaska]

I should have said that Dusty is the son-in-law of FReeper US Army EOD. Both Dusty and his wife, Becky, can sure use those prayers. ((HUGS)) and thanks.

[fatima]

What a worry for this family.((((((Hugs)))))

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Mac....US Army EOD and his daughter and son-in-law are sure in need.

[luvie]

Thanks, Kathy.

Prayers of healing for Dusty...and safety for Becky as she
makes that long trip to Germany!

Keep us posted, gentlemen!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, unique, for the DJ!

Tom Paxton ~ My Favorite Spring

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[MEG33]

May God guide the hands of SSGT Dusty’s surgeons and return him to health.May the Lord be with the family as they wait.

[Seadog Bytes]

Prayers for your loved ones, SSG Dusty and 1LT Becky! May his recovery be swift and sure, and may her burdens be thereby soon lightened!

[Cindy]

Dear Lord,

You are the Great Physcian.
I thank You.

I’m lifting (SSG) DUSTY up in prayer
to You.

You know his needs.

Please guide the doctors, nurses and staff as they tend to Dusty.

Please comfort Becky ad Dusty with the peace only you can give.

In Jesus’ Holy name I pray this humble prayer.

Amen.

[Cindy]

Praying in agreement with you, Seadog Bytes.
Amen.