A generation of people set out to liberate occupied Europe. To free them from the tyranny of an oppressive regime. My grandfather was on the 2nd wave at Omaha beach, and lost about 70% of the men in his platoon. Before he passed away he told me of the horrors of war, and of the heroism of ordinary people. He taught me what true sacrifice and humility is really all about. It is for men like my grandfather and countless others that the term "respect your elders" is meaningful in so many different ways. 60 years ago, a generation of men and women risked their lives to free people they did not even know. A job that was worth undertaking, and a job that they knew many would not be coming back. I raise my hand in salute to all those brave men and women who fought and freed an occupied Europe. Thanks to all of them for doing the impossible ! DD
I salute all those who were on the beaches that day, as well as anyone to ever represent our country in battle.
I would like to add that we should also mourn the victims on the other side who had no choice but to go into the battlefield, whether they wanted to or not.
As it's the anniversary, and as I myself had three relatives hitting the beaches 3 years ago today, I'll ignore the historian side of me which wants to discuss the actual reasons we went to war, as opposed to those said here. There's no doubt that those men gave of themselves in a way I'll never be able to relate to, and their courage and sacrifice was an insipiration to us all.
My grandfather was there but he was never able to talk about the horrors he saw. I salute the men and women who helped change the course of world history. Their bravery is not forgotten.
Yes, thanks to all of them. My grandfather was in WWII, but I don't really know much about which operations etc he was involved in.. never has really wanted to talk about it
.. also although so many see 4th of july fireworks etc as a way to celebrate america.. he cant' stand the sound of fireworks.. the noise resembles gun fire I guess
I'm glued to The History Channel right now. They're doing a "D-Day marathon" all day today. I can't even comprehend what must have been going through those brave men's minds as they were approaching that beach that day. My generation is so spoiled. My Grandfather didn't fight in Europe but he fought in battle of Okinawa. When I was a kid, I used to ask him to tell me war stories. He never did. As I got older and learned more about it, I understood why.
Unbelieavable that only 7 people responded to something as monumental as D-Day. I think some people just don't get how important to our history it was. Ah well....kids !! Sheesh ! DD
We spent all day yesterday watching Band of Brothers on DVD. We had never seen this series but had heard the rave reviews. All I can say is wow. Amazing stuff. I try to think of what I would do in that type of situation and I dont know if I could do it. Those guys were amazing, as are all of our veterans. I cant wait to go home and watch all of the extras tonight. Hearing the stories from the actual men who were there is riveting.
Couldn't go to sleep last night, because I was watching a special on D-Day on the History Channel last night. I still have no clue how we pulled that off. Everything that needed to turn right for us, ultimately turned right...even as General Bradley was considering abandoning Omaha Beach in the early morning hours. Scary stuff. The world would have been a very different place had we not prevailed. Saw a piece on the first town American troops liberated in France...they have American flags everywhere and all sorts of pictures and tributes to American soliders everywhere, even still today. The mayor of the town said they feel like they are a part of the United States. One of the soldiers moved there after the war...and he's a hero there. They have a tribute to him at a local tavern and people pose next to him for pictures. Thank God these guys had the courage to pull this off.
Eh...I missed this thread. Without a doubt, one of the most important events in the history of the world. It makes me proud to be an American.
One of the historians yesterday was making the comment that D-Day was the pivotal moment of the 20th century. Everything that had happened in that century so far came to a head that day, and everything that has happened since was a direct result of the success of taking those beaches and breaking through the Atlantic Wall. On a personal note, I have a Grandfather buried at Normandy. One of those white crosses marks his grave on a permanent piece of American soil.
