FReeper Canteen ~ D-DAY, June 6, 1944 ~ 06 June 2024

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.

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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, 2006. 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.

[Kathy in Alaska]

We will never forget our troops who have given their all for our freedom.

Some Gave All

[radu]

Indeed they did.

[luvie]

How did your day go? I hope it was no where near as hot as it was here. It wears a person down.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Perfect picture for D-Day, luvie...they will NOT be forgotten!

[radu]

It was a bit warm but very windy, and that made it feel a little better. It was a good day to give ol’ Betsy a long-needed bath because the wind dried her off quickly.

A couple of hours ago, the window in here started rattling and I stepped outside. Had to go out the back door because I couldn’t open the storm door in front. The wind was roaring and holding it shut. LOL
I knew there was rain closing in from the south but there weren’t any storms with it.

Haven’t had but a couple of drops. It got within a mile of here but wouldn’t cross the lake. It split and went around the farm.

[E.G.C.]

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

Yesterday at Wichita Ridge:

How's everyone doing this morning?

[luvie]

I’m glad it didn’t get worse! So many bad storms lately, and they’re popping up in places that they never have before...like our neighbors 20 miles east!

I went out to sit for a bit awhile ago and it felt pretty good even though it’s still in the low 80s. Nice little breeze on the patio. The kitties were chilling on the cement.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, stylin19a, for the link.

[radu]

Howdy, E.G.C. ((HUGZ))

You and Gizmo had much prettier day for your outing yesterday. Not a cloud in the blue, blue sky. Gizmo looked pleased.

[Kathy in Alaska]

My monitor got fuzzy....great link, ETR.

[radu]

It wasn’t even a storm. Just outflow. And after that, all that rain in AL that was moving up here started to fall apart. There’s hardly anything left of the huge blob that was on the radar.

A nice little breeze in the evening makes for comfortable sitting on the patio. Glad to hear you took advantage of it.
I sat out for a little while to watch the lightning bugs. It’s a little cooler here but it still feels good with the breeze. In a month, the katydid chorus will begin and I look forward to that.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, linMcHlp, for the D-Day links. Lots of reading to be done.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Glad you got to enjoy your pizza right away. LOL!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning, E...((HUGS))...what a beautiful blue sky!

Gizmo sure found lots of things to do and explore.

You guys have a great Thursday.

[luvie]

Well, I’m glad it fell apart. Besides, don’t the farmers need a bit of dry-out right now? Of course, what the heck do I know. All I know about farming is......absolutely nothing. 🤣

I think I heard a cricket off in the distance tonight. First one in sooo long! It was a peaceful sound.

[radu]

That’s the first time I’ve done that. LOL But it was late and I was starving. And that pizza smelled so good, I just couldn’t wait until I got home with it. Not the best idea while driving but I didn’t run over anyone so it’s good. :-)

[radu]

I think everyone’s gotten their stuff planted now. I can see the beans coming up in the field across the road so that fella got his planting finished. Rain will be welcome.
One guy down the road has winter wheat that looks like it’s about ready to harvest so he won’t mind a dry spell. He’ll take out the wheat and immediately plant soybeans .... if the weather allows.

We’re in good shape here for now. We’re supposed to be dry the next two days, with more rain chances over the weekend.

A cricket? It would be nice if you do have some coming back to the area. Very relaxing to sit outside and listen to their chorus.

[luvie]

Yeah, as long as they stay outside, I don’t mind. It’s when they start their crick-ing inside that it’s too loud. LOL! Besides, who needs another bug running around.

Guess I’d better go. I didn’t get a nap this afternoon and I’m knackered. See ya tomorrow!

[E.G.C.]

He sure did. We’ll see how things go today at Chisolm Trail Park.

[radu]

Yeah, it does get irritating if they get inside. I haven’t had a problem with them at this house but they found all kinds of cracks to get through at the old house. The cats would go nuts trying to find them. I would, too, because I wanted to get them back outside.

Outside, they’re wonderful and soothing. Together with katydids .... oooooh yeeeeaaahh.

No nap and you stayed up this late? Must have been a good show. LOL Sleep well. Catch ya yomorow