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.

Click for the rest of the story

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.

Click for the rest of the story

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.

Click for the rest of the story

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.

The rest of the story

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

Click for the rest of the story

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.

Click for the rest of the story

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

[ConorMacNessa]

THE SOLDIER’S CODE

---

Gen Dwight D. Eisenhower addresses troops of the 101st Airborne Division prior to D-Day Normandy, 5JUN1944

The Soldier’s Code

1) I am an American fighting man. I serve in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.

2) I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command, I will never surrender my men while they still have the means to resist.

3) If I am captured, I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy.

4) If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information or take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey the lawful orders of those appointed over me, and will back them up in every way.

5) When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am bound to give only name, rank, service number, and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country and its allies, or harmful to their cause.

6) I will never forget that I am an American fighting man, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the United States of America.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower, August, 1955.

[Kathy in Alaska]

TAPS

RIP Pvt Thomas E Lee, USA

Amazing Grace

[SandRat]

That dark in Alaska already???

[luvie]

D-Day – Normandy
by Michael DiRienzo, Brooklyn, NY,
Battery A

On the morn of June 6th, the year 1944,
Destination Normandy, D-Day of the war.
The waters were still, the clouds were high,
All was quiet, not a bomber in the sky.

We jumped off our LST into waters knee deep,
Worn out and tired, we had no sleep.

Then all of a sudden, before we knew,
All Hell broke loose with the morning dew.

Shells and bombs all around, the enemy fixed and ready,
All over, men moved forward, a little scared, but steady.

The battle was rugged and one bloody mess,
All the heroes that were made, I know you will never guess!

Some of us were lucky, others were not,
But those who have died will never be forgot.

Everything was quiet now and silently we dug in,
Darkness was upon us, another day will soon begin.

Off into sleep, our minds were miles away,
Thinking of home and what people will say.

We have accomplished our mission, although not yet done,
There's still a long way to go before the war is won.

To all back home doing their share,
Keep up the good work for the boys over here.

A job is a job and it has to be done,
We are doing ours, strikers do none!

We don't ask for much from our folks in the USA,
All our hearts desire is one letter a day.....

Written right after the battle

NEVER FORGET!!!

Five For Fighting~Freedom Never Cries

[Kathy in Alaska]

LOL!!

Daylight: 4:32 AM - 11:26 PM

[luvie]

God rest the soul of
Pvt. Thomas E. Lee
Died in battle 5-29-09
An American Hero

Providence~Amazing Grace.wma
[click]

[proudmilitarymrs]

Thanks for the post. I’m just in awe of the fact that my dad was involved and he was just a kid. I still can’t comprehend it.

mrs

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, ms b...((HUGSD))...did you get to sleep in? How’s Robert’s shoulder doing?

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks to your Dad for his service to our country.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, AAC...are you adjusting to having some free time?

[luvie]

God bless you for your reminders of the ones who keep us
safe and free!

The BEST military in the world!

[SandRat]

WWII soldier becomes emotional as he talks
about what happened on D-Day - June 6, 1944.

WWII Vet gives a journalist an interview at
the Normandy American Cemetery - Normandy, France

[tina07]

WOOOHOOO! Just got a text message from my daughter:~~~~

[MS.BEHAVIN]

*HUG*
Good evening Ma.
Yes, I got to sleep in, it was nice!
Robert is not having good pain control, and is a hurtin’ unit.
Docs are going to adjust his meds abit.
They had better!
GRRRRRRRR

[tina07]

Here's the sign my daughter made...

[MS.BEHAVIN]

Tissue, please?

[SandRat]

[MS.BEHAVIN]

*sniff*
Thank you!
Boy, that pic got me..

[luvie]

*sniff*

Where is the hanky alert, Sandy!

God bless these heroes!

[Kathy in Alaska]

TAPS

RIP 1Lt Charles Donald Albury

Amazing Grace