Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force!
You are about to embark upon the 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 and devotion to duty and skill in
battle. We will accept nothing less than full Victory!
Good luck! And let us beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great
and noble undertaking.
SIGNED: Dwight D. Eisenhower
I tell this story often, so as to never forget — Back in the late 1990’s my coworkers and I were talking about Saving Private Ryan.
Near us was a man that was our top salesman, an older gentleman very close to retirement. Everyone knew Bill and everyone truly liked him as he was just a great guy. Funny, kind, and very competent.
Anyways, we’re talking about the movie and Bill comes over and says “I was a Screaming Eagle.”. We all stopped, and one dude said “No way! During WW2?” And Bill says “Yep. And I was a bad-a** MotherF***er!”. You could have heard a pin drop. He just walked away and got back to reviewing a proof, or whatever he was doing. Never mentioned it again.
If it happened today I wonder how many lawyers would have gone ashore with them to make sure they don’t harm the Germans too badly.
The difference betweeen men and boys and now Snowflakes
Dear General Eisenhower,
It is my understanding you are proceeding with Operation Overlord before finalization and review of the mandated Environmental Impact report has been completed.
This is contrary to discussions we had previously. You are required to halt all plans for this operation immediately.
Further, I have yet to see the requested report on the use of the Lavender Brigade and their Rainbow Coalition. As discussed we must reach out to this community and welcome them into this important operation. I look forward to your report.
Regards President Obama
Stunning. Thank you for this thread.