FReeper Canteen ~ D-Day, June 6, 1944 ~ 06 June 2012

Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !! | The Canteen Crew

[Kathy in Alaska]

~ FReeper Canteen Presents ~

~ D-DAY, June 6, 1944 ~

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

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.

Phillip Myers of Saratoga Springs, a D-Day paratrooper with the 101st Airbourne Division, salutes during a D-Day survivors reunion June 4, 2011, in Colonie. (John Carl D'Annibale / Times Union)

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, 2009. 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.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Mayor, and thanks for today’s sustenance for body and soul. ((HUGS))

I’m following the Scott Walker thread....looks to be a clean sweep for the R’s. I love it!! All that money, and all that cheating, and all those shenanigans....thanks to the unions and all their supporting minions for adding a lot of money to Wisconsin’s economy.

[The Mayor]

Huge win for the TEA Party and sets a national mandate!!
Lots of people worked very hard against the forces of evil.

[wjcsux]

Hi Kathy! ((HUGS!!)) Thank you!

[M1911A1]

It’s been almost eight years since my father, an infantryman with the 28th Division, passed on. The 28th was originally slated to land on D-Day, but plans changed and he didn’t land in France until the 22nd of July. What they missed in Normandy they made up for later in the Hurtgen forest and during the “Bulge”.

While he lived, WWII was more then history to me, it was right there in the man that raised me. As time takes those veterans from us, the story of that epic war is becoming books and monuments rather than living memory, and it pains me to see how little some of the young kids know about WWII.

My children and I read your first post to this thread, and I read them Ike’s letter out loud. I told them that when I was their age, WWII was “Dad’s war” to me, just like OIF is “Dad’s war” to them. It’s good for them to see something online that remembers WWII, it makes it more immediate to them than their old man talking about his old man back in the old days.

That somebody else takes the time to remember and post a thread like this means a lot to me because it makes an impression on the boys.

Thanks for posting that.

[jmacusa]

A year ago in February Lt. Leonard “Bud’’ Lomell, 2nd. Ranger Battalion , who scaled Pointe Du Hoc passed away. He lived here in Pt. Pleasant NJ, a lawyer by profession and a well known local fixture. I never had the honor of meeting him but because of him and the men of his generation I, we, live in the freedom we do. Thank you Lt. Lomell. Thank you for my freedom.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening/morning, M1911A1...((HUGS))...the boys must really be growing up...you almost have a teenager.

We thank your Dad for his service to our country, and to you for your service.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning, wjcsux...((HUGS))...love the news from Wisconsin!

[21twelve]

I knew a guy through church a few years ago and was getting to know him - was at his small nursing home room with his wife.

I noticed his tattoo and said “Oh - you were in the Navy!”

“Yes”

“WW II obviously?”

“Yes”

“My dad was on a minesweeper in the Pacific, what sort of ship were you on?”

“I drove a Higgin’s boat”

It was then that his wife piped up and said

“Harry was at Normandy on D-Day.”

I got up, shook his hand, said thank you with a tear in my eye, and then turned the conversation to other things. But the rest of the time that I would meet with them I was always in awe of what he did, and what he had gone through. Thank God for these boys turned quickly into men.

[21twelve]

Thank you for Reagan’s speech. So many times I see things like that with a lot of WORDS and just pass them by. But that is an easy read - so moving, so true, and so full of history and perhaps prophecy. I recall hearing it and reading it over the years, and it brings a real sense of pride - and hope.

[Kathy in Alaska]

[E.G.C.]

A very pleasant good morning to everyone at the Canteen and to all our military at home and abroad. Thanks for your service to our country.

((HUGS))Good morning, Kathy. How's it going?

[E.G.C.]

Wednesday Morning Coffee Bump.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning/afternoon/evening/night Troops, wherever you are.

Thank you for doing your part to help keep all of us free and safe.

Thanks, unique, for the pastries.

Coffee is always on........

How about a donut?

Cookies?

Veggies?

Sandwich?

[MEG33]

Good Morning Everyone
With Deepest Gratitude For My Freedoms ~ Remembering DDay..
June 6,1944

Normandy..2008

Normandy 1944 Guide

[beachn4fun]

OMG! Hanky Alert! Beautiful. Especially since I think the beach landing was a poor decision that lost lives needlessly. I think I need to find more positive things about D-Day than the landing. So,thank you for the link.

[tomkow6]

 

 

 

 

 Good morning,

EVERYBODY!

GOOD

MORNING

TROOPS!

 

Cubs

19 WINS

36  LOSSES

 

 

I stayed up all night to see where the sun went.

Then it dawned on me. 
 
 

 

[beachn4fun]

WELCOME TO THE

(where our troops, allies and their families can refresh themselves)

Good morning, Everyone.

Good morning to our

Miliary, our Allies, and their families.

Thank you, Ma, for preparing the Canteen for today’s activities.
I've never been a fan of D-Day and the Normandy beach landing.
I am enjoying some of the posts here reliving history.
Guess I just need to find more positive pieces.

Now for our local DC Metroland weather report

~ Today... Mostly cloudy. Isolated showers in the morning...
Then scattered showers with isolated thunderstorms
in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 70s.
Light and variable winds...
Becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Chance of rain 40 percent.

~ Tonight... Mostly cloudy.
Isolated showers and thunderstorms in the evening.
Lows in the upper 50s. Southwest winds around 5 mph.
Chance of rain 20 percent.

Still under a pile of work
but starting to see daylight.

However bossman has been on travel and is due back this afternoon.
So he'll probably be wanting to catch up on all the emails he copied me on. UGH!

Got to post and run, but please stay right where you are.
Keep the troops and their families entertained.

The Canteen is

Come on in and sit for a while.
There's always plenty of coffee, tea,
pancakes, conversation, silliness,
and plain old BS

REMEMBER THEM

DEFENDERS OF FREEDOM

FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT

Showing support and boosting the morale of our military and our allied military and the family members of the above. Honoring those who have served before.

[E.G.C.]

Good morning, Tomkow6.

((HUGS))Good morning, Beach.

How's it going?

[ConorMacNessa]

Good morning, Beachy!

*HUGS*

Happy Hump Day! Hope you have a good one!



Nos genuflectitur ad non princeps sed Princeps Pacem!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[Arrowhead1952]

Good morning to everyone at the Canteen. I start my part time job today!