Thread: June 6, 1944

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Today marks the anniversary of the invasion of Europe via the beaches of Normandy. My Uncle Carl was there that day and stayed in the European Theater until the end of WWII. Some years before his death Carl would finally talk about the time during and after June 6. His description of the landing at Normandy and the days following were both fascinating and horrifying! It was the last frontal assault of it's magnitude in a war, and marked the beginning of the end for Germany and the Third Reich.

Only seem appropriate that we take time today to remember those who landed in Normandy that day and their accomplishments as a result of the landing....

You're on target with this one, Dave. One of the most graphic representations the D-Day invasion was in Spielberg's 'Saving Private Ryan' which came out in 1998. It is difficult to imagine being a part of that huge frontal attack of the beaches of Normandy.

From what I was told by many Vets "Saving private Ryan" was and is the best discription of D-Day...A lot of brave men died that day

As much as I disagree with much of what FDR did, on this matter his address/prayer to the nation was quite poignant. What a difference 68 years makes:

My fellow Americans: Last night, when I spoke with you about the fall of Rome, I knew at that moment that troops of the United States and our allies were crossing the Channel in another and greater operation. It has come to pass with success thus far.

And so, in this poignant hour, I ask you to join with me in prayer:

Almighty God: Our sons, pride of our Nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion, and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity.

Lead them straight and true; give strength to their arms, stoutness to their hearts, steadfastness in their faith.

They will need Thy blessings. Their road will be long and hard. For the enemy is strong. He may hurl back our forces. Success may not come with rushing speed, but we shall return again and again; and we know that by Thy grace, and by the righteousness of our cause, our sons will triumph.

They will be sore tried, by night and by day, without rest-until the victory is won. The darkness will be rent by noise and flame. Men's souls will be shaken with the violences of war.

For these men are lately drawn from the ways of peace. They fight not for the lust of conquest. They fight to end conquest. They fight to liberate. They fight to let justice arise, and tolerance and good will among all Thy people. They yearn but for the end of battle, for their return to the haven of home.

Some will never return. Embrace these, Father, and receive them, Thy heroic servants, into Thy kingdom.

And for us at home -- fathers, mothers, children, wives, sisters, and brothers of brave men overseas -- whose thoughts and prayers are ever with them--help us, Almighty God, to rededicate ourselves in renewed faith in Thee in this hour of great sacrifice.

Many people have urged that I call the Nation into a single day of special prayer. But because the road is long and the desire is great, I ask that our people devote themselves in a continuance of prayer. As we rise to each new day, and again when each day is spent, let words of prayer be on our lips, invoking Thy help to our efforts.

Give us strength, too -- strength in our daily tasks, to redouble the contributions we make in the physical and the material support of our armed forces.

And let our hearts be stout, to wait out the long travail, to bear sorrows that may come, to impart our courage unto our sons wheresoever they may be.

And, O Lord, give us Faith. Give us Faith in Thee; Faith in our sons; Faith in each other; Faith in our united crusade. Let not the keenness of our spirit ever be dulled. Let not the impacts of temporary events, of temporal matters of but fleeting moment let not these deter us in our unconquerable purpose.

With Thy blessing, we shall prevail over the unholy forces of our enemy. Help us to conquer the apostles of greed and racial arrogancies. Lead us to the saving of our country, and with our sister Nations into a world unity that will spell a sure peace a peace invulnerable to the schemings of unworthy men. And a peace that will let all of men live in freedom, reaping the just rewards of their honest toil.

Thy will be done, Almighty God.

Amen.

Like many here, my father served in WWII. He was there June 7, driving an LCP as they hit the beaches and he was gravely injured – caring shrapnel and a metal plate in his head until his death in 1995. He fought in both the Pacific and European theaters of operation yet he rarely talked of war. I knew little of his accomplishments until I came home on leave in 1971 after being wounded. Dad and I went for a long motorcycle ride and when we stopped for a break, he asked me how I was doing and as we began to talk he opened up and told me of the horrors of his war and about the invasion that became known as “D-Day”. The details were still crystal clear in his mind and he recalled events as if they had just happened – some things we just don’t forget. I gained a new respect for my father that day.

When dad died in 1995, I found a flag in his Navy footlocker that we have since found out was on the LCP he was on that was hit. Dad was more dead than alive, but he saved the flag from his boat. My mom is very sentimental and still has the flag among her possessions, but we will someday place this treasure in a museum in his honor.

May we never forget the sacrifices of our fathers that assured us freedoms and liberty.

Blessings to those of my father’s generation who may read this and please know you have my utmost respect and admiration.

Regards All,
Glenn

I had 2 uncles that landed on beaches on D-Day, neither will talk of their experiences with us. Only 1 time did I ever hear one of my uncles tell something of his struggles while "over there".. One of his friends from his school days was over and they began reminiscing (sp?), and my uncle mentioned that during the winter he and his platoon would crawl into a manure pile on a farm to stay warm! And he said they ate dogs and cats cause they would get so hungry.....

After listening to him, all I could do was walk away with wet eyes..

Neither man would watch programs like Hogan's Heroes, my uncle Bill would get angry if we were watching it, I can only imagine the horror he had witnessed. When some would call them heroes, both uncles would maintain that the real heroes stayed behind.

I too, had 2 uncles in WWII, One was a Marine killed on Saipan and the other served aboard the USS Iowa till the end of the war. My surviving uncle was pretty tight lipped about his service.

[QUOTE=Bob Parmenter;465008]As much as I disagree with much of what FDR did, REALLY!! You and Rush could have done much better!!