The FReeper Foxhole Remembers D-Day On Omaha Beach (6/6/1944) - June 6th, 2003

The Atlantic Monthly ^ | November 1960 | S.L.A. Marshall

[Colt .45]

I salute those men who went ashore 59 years ago to free the Europeans from the grip of Nazi tyranny. Its too bad the damn French forgot about it. Those brothers, they truly were the Greatest Generation. And I say the word "brothers" with pride!

What's he that wishes so?
My cousin Westmoreland? No, my fair cousin:
If we are mark'd to die, we are enow
To do our country loss; and if to live,
The fewer men, the greater share of honour.
God's will! I pray thee, wish not one man more.
By Jove, I am not covetous for gold,
Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost;
It yearns me not if men my garments wear;
Such outward things dwell not in my desires:
But if it be a sin to covet honour,
I am the most offending soul alive.
No, faith, my coz, wish not a man from England:
God's peace! I would not lose so great an honour
As one man more, methinks, would share from me
For the best hope I have. O, do not wish one more!
Rather proclaim it, Westmoreland, through my host,
That he which hath no stomach to this fight,
Let him depart; his passport shall be made
And crowns for convoy put into his purse:
We would not die in that man's company
That fears his fellowship to die with us.
This day is called the feast of Crispian:
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tip-toe when the day is named,
And rouse him at the name of Crispian.
He that shall live this day, and see old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
And say 'To-morrow is Saint Crispian:'
Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars.
And say 'These wounds I had on Crispin's day.'
Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot,
But he'll remember with advantages
What feats he did that day: then shall our names.
Familiar in his mouth as household words
Harry the king, Bedford and Exeter,
Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester,
Be in their flowing cups freshly remember'd.
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remember'd;
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition:
And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.
- Henry V Scene III - William Shakespeare

[jtill]

SAMWolf, thank you for this marvelous tribute to those involved in D-Day on Omaha Beach. I remember that day, June 6, 1944, like it was yesterday (no, I'm not a veteran, I was just a little kid) and it always brings a tear or two and a thrill when I read the stories of all those heros. Thank God for our outstanding military.

[snippy_about_it]

Wonderful. Thank you.

[SAMWolf]

Good Night Snippy. Great song.

[SAMWolf]

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother;...

Old Shakepseare knew what he was taklking about, Thanks Colt-45.

"For those who have fought for it, freedom has a flavor the protected will never know."

[Reaganwuzthebest]

Hats off to SAMWolf. For the life of me, I have never understood how he find the time to carry out this marvelous task on a daily basis.

And they're getting better everyday. This is more informative and interesting than history class in school ever could be.

[SAMWolf]

You're welcome jtill. My Father-in-law is visiting and he started the after dinner conversation with:

"Fifty-nine years ago today..." He was one of the Coast Guardmen running the troops in the first wave onto Omaha Beach in and LCVP.

Fascinating conversation, tonight.

[SAMWolf]

Thanks Reaganwazthebest, it's really easy when you love what you're doing.

[Reaganwuzthebest]

No problem Sam, nice job.

[SAMWolf]

I appreciate it. Today's a special thread for me since I had family there.

[Reaganwuzthebest]

You had family in France at the time of Normandy? If so, we're they affected at all by the invasion?

[SAMWolf]

No not in France, My father-in-law was at Omaha Beach with the Coast Guard

[Reaganwuzthebest]

Yeah I had a close relative too who was part of the Normandy landing, but not Omaha fortunately, think it was Utah. That was a bloodbath for those poor guys.

[SAMWolf]

WWII veteran Dalmain Estes from Pontiac, Il., who landed on Omaha Beach with the 1st Infantry Division on June 7, 1944, salutes as the American anthem is played during D-Day commemoration ceremonies at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial of Colleville-sur-Mer, Friday, June 6, 2003. U.S., Canadian and British troops fought their way ashore 59 years ago to liberate France from Nazi occupation. The U.S. flag waves behind. (AP Photo/Franck Prevel)

[SAMWolf]

I thank him for his service.

Omaha came real close to being a failure. It was the individual who eneded up making the difference.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Evening, Foxhole crew! If you know any Colorado Freepers who might have friends who might want to help a Vet put on a parade in Longmont, Sunday - please ping 'em. DoD's even getting involved.

Know anyone w/ a marching band? A float? A folding chair? A flag? Thank you. (^:

Old Vet Drums Up Parade for New Vet
DoD website / Special to American Forces Press Service ^ | June 5, 2003 | Casie Vinall

[SAMWolf]

Don't know if this applies to you Colorado Tanker, see post #96

[bandleader]

I will have a drink tonight for an aquaintance(Howard Manoian).He lives in Normandy.He parachuted into the cemetary at St.Mere Eglise(505th.PIR ,82nd AirBorne Division)in the wee small hours 59 years ago!!God Bless You,Howard,And God Bless AMERICA!!!!!!!!!!I would refer to him as a friend,only he NEVER writes back!!!!!!!!!!!

[bandleader]

I will have a drink tonight for an aquaintance(Howard Manoian).He lives in Normandy.He parachuted into the cemetary at St.Mere Eglise(505th.PIR ,82nd AirBorne Division)in the wee small hours 59 years ago!!God Bless You,Howard,And God Bless AMERICA!!!!!!!!!!I would refer to him as a friend,only he NEVER writes back!!!!!!!!!!!

[SAMWolf]

I'll join you in a toast to Howard Manoian. Thanks for my Freedom Mr. Manion.

Thanks for letting us know about him.