72 years ago today. June 6th 1944.

[..]

Please take a moment to reflect on how the world we live in would be without the courage of thousands from the USA, United Kingdom, Canada and other countries.


So far this morning I've not heard one word on local radio about it being the anniversary.


72 Years ago today, June 6th 1944 - D-Day commenced with 125,000 American, British, and Canadian men storming a 50 mile stretch of beach in Normandy France to bring about the destruction of Nazi Germany.


The invasion is the largest amphibious assault known in history.


By dawn on June 6, thousands of paratroopers and glider troops were already on the ground behind enemy lines, securing bridges and exit roads. The amphibious invasions began at 6:30 a.m.


The British and Canadians overcame light opposition to capture beaches codenamed Gold, Juno and Sword, as did the Americans at Utah Beach. U.S. forces faced heavy resistance at Omaha Beach, where there were over 2,000 American casualties. However, by day’s end, approximately 156,000 Allied troops had successfully stormed Normandy’s beaches. Some estimates calculate that more than 4,000 Allied troops lost their lives in the D-Day invasion, with thousands more wounded or missing.





Less than a week later, on June 11, the beaches were fully secured and over 326,000 troops, more than 50,000 vehicles and some 100,000 tons of equipment had landed on the Normandy beaches

[Valker]

Surprisingly, this is also the day my Mom was discharged from the Navy. She was an A&P mechanic during the war.

[Rams]

It was a great day for the Allies.   Not so great for the other side.

Some brave men gave all that day.   The world is a better place thanks to all that served.   My dad was in that landing force.   Fought in the Battle of the Bulge and more.   My heartfelt appreciation goes out to all those who served both before and after.

Today is also the day my wife and I harnessed up as one team (35 years ago).    She reminded me of that this morning......      I've tried to pull my share of the load but, she's got more endurance than I have so, she has pulled my share from time to time.  

Credit is given where credit is due.

[Ramie]

I was named after a close friend of my father who commanded a Higgins boat, he died that day along with a lot of other brave souls trying to take those beaches.
God rest their souls.

[Roadog]

   We are loosing 1000 of them everyday .  Truely the GREATEST Generation for sure.  All they did was save the world.  THANK YOU !!  My Pop was in New Guinea in the the Army Aircorp  fighting the japs .  There 36 months.  THANK YOU ALL !  Take a moment to thank them.

Roadog

[Rams]

I was named after a close friend of my father who commanded a Higgins boat, he died that day along with a lot of other brave souls trying to take those beaches.
God rest their souls.

Being a name sake is an honor IMHO.   I was also named after my Dad's company commander on D Day.   That man did not survive through the Battle of the Bulge.   So, I was named after him.   His tank took out the Nazi tank that took out my Dad's.    Some things are hard to payback.  

[John Schmidt]

I used to have an old gentleman living across the street that took part in that operation. He & his wife have recently moved into a facilitated care living arrangement and I miss talking to him. He told me he was one of the fortunate ones, apparently because he's so short. Said he was toward the back of the landing craft and everyone in front were bigger men, talked about how they got mowed down just as the ramp went down. As he got older he didn't have too much trouble talking about it, but 25-30 yrs. ago....not so much. He's now 98 and no longer mentally alert most of the time.

I once asked him about medals and he told me the one he never got was a Purple Heart, then added it was a close call. Then told me about the landing and how during his dash on the beach he felt like something grabbed at his pants but he kept running. When he could finally take inventory, he realized he had a bullet hole down there where it went in the front and out the back. Then said he had to open his pants to check for damages in a very important area, said the juices were running so high that minor injuries were causing no pain for a lot of guys and he wanted to be sure he wasn't experiencing the same thing. A day or so later, a buddy suggested he use a small twig and put it through the holes in his pants just to see how close it came. Then told me with a chuckle that "it" must have been swinging left when the round went through, otherwise Rosie(daughter) would never have been born.

He also was involved in operations in Italy and I asked him about activities there. He just chuckled, looked over his shoulder to see where Mary(wife) was, then leaned over and said "it was a very interesting campaign." That was the one time I saw his eyes look off in the distance and a little smile crossed his face....suddenly he was back in Italy during the war. I didn't ask about Italy anymore.

I miss chatting with old Louie. 

[baldo]

Surprisingly, this is also the day my Mom was discharged from the Navy. She was an A&P mechanic during the war.

Wow, I didn't know that women had served in maintenance. I've never seen any pix or mention of it. Do you know what she worked on, and where?

I've read about the WASP's, very impressive in their own rights.....

http://www.npr.org/2010/03/09/123773525/female-wwii-pilots-the-original-fly-girls

[baldo]

Today is also the day my wife and I harnessed up as one team (35 years ago).    She reminded me of that this morning......      I've tried to pull my share of the load but, she's got more endurance than I have so, she has pulled my share from time to time.  

Credit is given where credit is due.

   Same here, not the day, but the gratitude. I don't like to tell her too often, she's already too bossy for my taste...

Forgive the minor hijack...back to the original subject.

[Skinhead]

Thanks to all that serve(d).  It is greatly appreciated by me and my offspring.  

[solo1]

I had just turned 16 a month before that day.  That day I was a newspaper carrier.  I remember the headlines were "D DAY!" in six inch high headlines with pictures inside the headlines.  I remember going home and telling the folks (no TV)  The sacrifices on that day and the days to follow were something that I haven't forgot.

I also will not forget being in the company of those veterans in my Honor flight last month. Amazing that I saw the headlines at 16 ,then served in the Korean War, then was able to meet many of the "Greatest Generation'  on the flight.

I was humbled.  Here is a photo of the Changing of The Guard at the Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier.

Most of the vets of WWII are in the wheelchairs pictured.



Wayne, Solo1

[baldo]

It was a great day for the Allies.   Not so great for the other side.

Some brave men gave all that day.   The world is a better place thanks to all that served.   My dad was in that landing force.   Fought in the Battle of the Bulge and more.   My heartfelt appreciation goes out to all those who served both before and after.

Today is also the day my wife and I harnessed up as one team (35 years ago).    She reminded me of that this morning......      I've tried to pull my share of the load but, she's got more endurance than I have so, she has pulled my share from time to time.  

Credit is given where credit is due.

My father in law was a tail gunner in the Pacific, he's got some pretty cool memorabilia....

[Reb]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzP-xjkBROI

[solo1]

WTH ?

[czuch]

I've seen, heard nothing.
Casa de Chaos is, again sadly, the only house on the block with the flag out.
Thank you Britman for starting this thread.
Thank you fellow Veterans for taking the time out of your lives. Liberty does indeed taste sweeter.

[Jersey mike]

Some D-Day figures;  http://d-dayrevisited.co.uk/d-day/cost-of-battle.html