FReeper Canteen ~ D-DAY, June 6, 1944 ~ 6 June 2017

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

[Kathy in Alaska]

~ 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.

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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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.

[radu]

These are Eurasian Eagle Owls we’re watching, in Latvia.
Why they call them eagle owls, I dunno. They look like our Great Horned owls.
And the babies are called owlets. :-)

[luvie]

I hope he was able to down it! I quit watching after a bit ‘cause I kept trying to help him turn it around. LOL!

I saw part of the food fight. And mom did a good job of getting some food into those hungry bellies! I even took a little video to post on FB of them clacking like castanets. LOL! So darn cute!

I was happy to see a picture that the osprey had FINALLY hatched one of hers. Seems like forever that she laid those eggs!

[radu]

Surprisingly, he did get it down but it sure took a while. I don’t see how they do it. ergh!

Ms. Bo is a good momma and did a great job getting those wild babies under control this time. There have been a few times she gave up and left because they were so out of hand. Can’t blame her! LOL

They crack me up with the beak clacking. Some seem to do it more than others and this brood go to town with it.

[luvie]

They are very chatty with the clacking. LOL! I imagine she’s about ready for that wild crew to fledge. Actually, it shouldn’t be much longer, huh. I’ll miss them. They’ve been fun to watch.

I’m listening to the birdsong on the Hungarian nest while I watch an episode of The Closer on Putlocker9. Free. The only way I’ll watch. My adblocker keeps the icky ads away. Except for one full-page popup but I just click out of it and it’s gone. So far. LOL! AVG doesn’t seem to concerned as I don’t get a warning.

[radu]

Yeah, it won’t be much longer before they fledge. They’ve been doing a lot of flap-hopping lately, exercising their wings. I’ll miss them too. They’ve been quite entertaining as they’ve grown.

I have the Dejtar nest cam up at the moment, waiting for the parent to stand up. Wondering if the 4th egg has hatched yet and am not about to go to that forum to find out. Just have to wait out this bird. LOL

[Churchillspirit]

Bless them all...and RIP those who have gone to their rest.

We will never forget you.

[radu]

Indeed.
The world would be a much different place if not for their efforts and sacrifices.

[luvie]

Hope it doesn’t take too long for the stork to get up so you can see what’s going on!

The owlets have been sitting on the new rails a lot and I keep expecting one of them to fly to a branch just any time.

[luvie]

Good night, MY! I am not sure what GSU stands for, but I’m awfully glad that one of the leaker has been located and detained! I’m sick and tired of this stuff!

Comey is a nothing-burger.

[radu]

The dad finally stood up and there are now four lil bobbleheads on the nest. I was beginning to think that last egg wasn’t viable.

The eagle owlets LOVE the new railings Juris put around the nest when he was up there for their banding. There have been a couple of times I thought one would “fludge” but they’ve always managed to get their balance just in time.
The oldest two are 44 days old now so it won’t be too much longer before we see a branching. Dang it. It’s always bitter-sweet when they grow up and leave the nest.

[jmacusa]

Remember that in all of history there were only two people who were willing to lay down their lives for our freedom and that of the world- Jesus Christ and the American soldier.

[luvie]

It is kind of sad. There are fewer and fewer babies to watch. Glad that the sea eagles have begun the nesting season.

Guess I’ll go for now. Took 1/2 a benadryl and i’m really drowsy now. And I have no kitties to want all-night attention. :)

See ya tomorrow night? Quiz time! :)

Nite, radu....nite Kathy! Great and important thread tonight!

[radu]

I know your preference is the raptors and you don’t enjoy the storks as much as I do but if you did, there are still plenty of them to watch.

And we do still have our young sea eaglets to watch soon. I hope Dad and Lady have success with all of this year’s brood.

No kittehs tonight??? How’d you manage that two nights in a row? LOL! Good night and sleep well. See ya tomorrow evening.

[E.G.C.]

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

We remember D-Day June 6, 1944.

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

[beachn4fun]

Good morning, Everyone.

Good morning to our

Military, our Allies, and their families.

Thank you, Ma, for preparing the
Canteen for today’s activities.

Dropping by to Remember D-Day

Sorry, don't mean no disrespect, but IMO,
this was a tragic and deadly decision.
So many young men died just trying to get to the beach.
I pray that they have found peace on the "other side".

Can't stay; have errands to run and I want to get an early start.
If I get back in time, I'll try to drop by again.

Please stay.
Grab a cup of joe or tasty tea.
Chat with the military and/or the family they left behind.

The FR 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.

[Mears]

Thank you——I learn so much around here.

.

[luvie]

Remember The Heroes
Who sacrificed so much
to keep the world free!
June 6, 1944

TAPS

[radu]

I learn a lot too. That’s what’s so great about this site.
Even learned about several of the nest cam sites from folks here at FR. :-)

[Mears]

“I learn a lot too. That’s what’s so great about this site.
Even learned about several of the nest cam sites from folks here at FR. :-)”

---

I was an eagle webcam watcher for seversl years (Decorah and Hancock) until we watched one tiny eaglet starve to death. It was dreadful-—they would not feed it.

Nature can be brutal.

.