FReeper Canteen ~ D-DAY, JUNE 6, 1944 ~ 06 June 2022

Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The 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 vessel, 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.

Click for the rest of the story

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, 2006. 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.

[PROCON]

Hi radu!

Yeah I was woken at 4AM this morning to a loud, heavy rainstorm that swept right in, drenched us and then moved on out and it's been a nice day since. This week looks great too!

Great Canteen post by you tonight, I will listen to that D-Day survivor's remembrances this evening.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, radu...thanks for finding and sharing the video with Harold McMurran. What a moving recollection of that day...D-Day. My monitor is all fuzzy.

So cool that you were able to meet and talk to him. What a piece of history!!

[radu]

You’re finally going to get a break? ‘Bout time! I know y’all are ready for it.

We had a hot, dry week and now appear to have another wet week ahead. Rain chances every day and they say we’ll probably get 4 or more inches of rain in our area.

The video of Harold speaking about D-Day is only 10 minutes long. There’s another one I found of him speaking about D-Day as well as the Battle of the Bulge, which he also survived.

[luvie]

NEVER FORGET
THE BRAVERY AND THE
LOSSES OF THAT DAY!

President Trump 6-6-2019:" We are gathered here on freedom's altar, on these shores, on these bluffs, on this day 75 years ago, 10,000 men shed their blood, and thousands sacrificed their lives for their brothers, for their countries, and for the survival of liberty.
Today we remember those who fell and we honor all who fought right here in Normandy. They wouldn't back this ground for civilization. To more than one 170 Veterans of the Second World War, who join us today, you are among the very greatest Americans who will ever live. You are the pride of our nation. You are the glory of our republic. And we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Here with you are over 60 veterans who landed on D-Day. Our debt to you is everlasting. Today we express our undying gratitude. When you were young, these men enlisted their lives in a great crusade - one of the greatest of all times. Their mission is the story of an epic battle and a ferocious eternal struggle between good and evil. On the 6th of June, 1944, they joined a liberation force of awesome power and breathtaking scale.
After months of planning, the Allies had chosen this ancient coastline to mount their campaign to vanquish the wicked tyranny of the Nazi empire from the face of the earth.
The battle began in the skies above us. In those first tense midnight hours, 1,000 aircraft roared overhead, with 17,000 allied airborne troops preparing to leap into the dark just beyond these trees. Then came dawn. The enemy who had occupied these heights saw the largest naval armada in the history of the world.”

TAPS

GOD BLESS AMERICA
AND HER ALLIES!

[luvie]

What a wonderful story he had to tell! You were very fortunate to have gotten to meet him!

[radu]

Hey there, Kathy.

So your monitor got fuzzy, too, did it? Mine gets fuzzy every time I watch the video, and I’ve watched it several times. It’s very moving.

He didn’t talk about any of it while he was at the museum. He was there for a pleasant outing with two of his buddies and we kept it that way. All three were total gems and it was such a pleasure chatting with all three of them. They enjoyed seeing the museum and Mark and I thoroughly enjoyed the two hours we sent with them.

[radu]

Howdy, luvie.

I don’t know that “wonderful” is the word I’d choose. It was pretty heavy. What IS wonderful is that he survived the day uninjured - - unlike so many men that day. Like I said, his Guardian Angel worked overtime that day!

I hope your day went well. Were you able to get better sleep last night?

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, ML...((HUGS))...you and Tippy have a good day? Did you get to go for a hike?

[luvie]

Well, wonderful in that he survived to tell the story and that his memory is sharp to remember details. So much of our history is lost because the ones who can tell it are passed.

It was a nice day, but it was way too hot and I didn’t sleep well at all last night. Right now, I think I could go to sleep for hours! I had a nap but it was short due to having to get up for evening services. How were things there? Still comfy temps?

[central_va]

John has a long mustache. The chair is against the wall.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Nipster...you are correct: it IS important to remember their sacrifices and why we are free.

[radu]

Definitely wonderful that he survived, and amazing all considered. A horrific day.

He’s 97 now and his mind is still sharp as a tack. He just retired last year so he’s managed to stay in pretty darn good shape. He’s worked on airplanes all these years. I did a little digging around on him and the other two vets who were with him to learn a little more about each of them. Harold only lives about 40 miles from us and we drive through the town when we go to Huntsville.

[radu]

Oops! Hit ‘post’ too soon. LOL

Sorry to hear you weren’t able to sleep again last night. The heat?

It was a little warm today but there was a strong breeze that made it feel nice enough. A little more humid than the past two days. They say our area will get over 4 inches of rain this week, with rain chances every day.

[luvie]

I hope he lives more years to tell his story to new generations who will listen.

It was the heat and the fact that I knew I should be asleep, which made me over-think it. LOL! So I tossed a lot. And thankfully, woke up before the alarm, or hubby might be buying me a new phone.

[radu]

I hope he does too. He’s gotten out several times for speaking engagements to tell his story about it. There are a few other videos on YT. In one, he talks about D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge, which he also survived. He has an amazing story to tell the younger generations.

I hear ya on knowing you need to go to sleep early and it making it harder to GO to sleep. LOL I go through it every Thursday night. Friday nights are easier to go to sleep early because I’m dead tired from lack of sleep Thursday nights.

The heat y’all have doesn’t make it any easier.

[Kathy in Alaska]

A really rough day for the survivors...

Internet was finally restored about 10:30a...thank goodness. I 've spent most of the day at my own desk (office desk in a bit) and clearing out paperwork and old emails. I'm happy with my accomplishments. And got a couple boxes ready to sent out tomorrow.

[luvie]

Yeah, the heat makes it way more uncomfortable, no matter which way I toss or turn.

I think next Saturday, I’m going to try skipping my afternoon nap to see if that helps me when 1am rolls around. I can’t even begin to think of putting my head down before that. LOL! I’ll let you know if the test works. :)

Is the corn a wall yet?

[radu]

Ouch! I didn’t know your internet had been down. That’s never a good thing. At least they got it back up early in the day.

It sounds like a productive day. You don’t often get time to do some cleaning up on your own desk.
And managed to get a couple of boxes ready to send off. More items that won’t be in the house any more! Slowly whittling that down.

[radu]

It’s too bad you don’t like to sleep with a fan blowing across you in the bed. It’s what kept me going during the years I was single and didn’t have AC in the apartments I lived in. Even now I sleep with a fan blowing, even during the winter. I feel like I’m suffocating without it. LOL

I go to bed those two nights well before 1 a.m. so at least I’m horizontal. I don’t go to sleep right away, plus I wake up every hour or two because my body simply isn’t ready to be in bed so early. Been a “vampire” too many years. :-)

The corn isn’t a wall just yet but it’s mighty close. I can’t believe how fast it’s growing now!

[luvie]

Ha! I don’t LIKE to sleep with a an blowing on me, but dang, it! It’s been so hot, I’ve had to have one or roast. We can’t have the AC running on chill 24 hours a day or the electric bill would be worse than the water bill. So I do have a small fan across the room that stirs the air just enough to feel good. Unless the humidity gets pretty high.

It sucks to have to go to bed early! And even worse to get up early. Isn’t that the worst part? Ugh! Who needs to see the sun rise. LOL!