June 6, 1944 --- 75 Years Ago

[PT7]

Salute

The last couple of evenings on the news there have been various reports about the upcoming D-Day 75th Anniversary events in France. I watched a group of WWII veterans boarding basically an "honor flight" this evening to take them to Normandy. There they will meet other vets from across the US to commemorate that early morning when they hit the beaches....together. In the interviews, several vets spoke of their purpose in going "to remember their buddies that didn't come back."

I salute them as the participate in these special commemorative events honoring those of "The Greatest Generation."

D-Day 75th Remembrance 1944-2019.jpg (62.05 KiB) Viewed 2397 times

PT7

[BigAl52]

I recently spoke with a Pilot for Frontier Airlines who has a friend who bought one of the DC-3's which flew in the invasion. He had completely restored it and was there with another guy who was going to fly there planes over that area today to honor that invasion. I thought that was really neat.

[RanchRoper]

Bless their souls.

[The Wiz]

My step-dad flew "cover" over the beaches. That's all he ever said about it. Would not talk about it. I can not imagine what he saw.

[Henry88]

I think my dad came ashore on D+4 or something like that. He was with the signal core, so they didn't all slam the beaches on the same day. His biggest fear were land mines and artillery.

Coincidently, I went to the range yesterday and shot the P-38, been years. My Winchester and Marlin (WMR) were the only two pieces of wood I saw all day. Times have changed.

[BigAl52]

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/pol ... 747530002/

Found this online. Who wouldnt want to do this what an honor

[PT7]

Agreed, Al. It would be a unique honor to do this jump and "keep alive the history." And it sure is something else to see those completely restored WWII aircraft ready to fly to Europe. That alone would be a cool flight. Thanks for your post.

Bob

[Rifletom]

Don't forget that yesterday[June 4], it was 77 years ago the Battle of Midway happened.A major turning point in WWII.

[Mags]

My step dad arrived a few days later. Was part of a 2 man machine gun crew. One of them carried the gun, the other the tripod. Participated in Market Garden and almost got trapped in Battle of the Bulge.

[PT7]

Yeah, the interesting history of the Market-Garden operation was complex. Bottom line, military historians record that the Germans took advantage of the M-G failure to launch the Battle of the Bulge. Glad your step dad missed that battle, and appreciate his military service during WWII.

[cooperhawk]

My Father was in Patton's Third Army and was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge somewhere in Belgium.

[Ernie]

Was thinking yesterday about growing up with all the WWll vets in my life. What a great influence they were in my life and helped shape my values. Work hard and earn what you want and need. If you are not willing to put forth the effort then don't expect to reap rewards.

[Mags]

.
He didn't miss it. There was a good fight to keep from being trapped.

Yeah, the interesting history of the Market-Garden operation was complex. Bottom line, military historians record that the Germans took advantage of the M-G failure to launch the Battle of the Bulge. Glad your step dad missed that battle, and appreciate his military service during WWII.

[PT7]

Today is June 6, 2019. And we have much reporting on the 75th anniversary focus about the D-Day Invasion of June 6, 1944, and those who were there.

This NY Times report is about our famous US reporter, Ernie Pyle, who brought much reporting back to America at that time. The news summary here is a long read, but worthwhile. It shares up close about Pyle, his war reporting, and how he was extremely impacted by what he witnessed in WWII, at Normandy, and finally in the Pacific war theatre.

I recommend it as part of our HRF remembrance and SALUTE to those Americans -- and all the Allies -- who served and died there for our Freedom.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/05/maga ... Position=1

PT7

[Redthies]

I should take the M1 Carbine out for a rip today in honour of the vets of this historic invasion, but alas work is going to get in the way. I’ll just have to say thank you to these vets (and all vets) for their service.

[ESquared]

I recommend it as part of our HRF remembrance and SALUTE to those Americans -- and all the Allies -- who served and died there for our Freedom.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/05/maga ... Position=1

PT7

Thanks for the link, Bob. A heart-wrenching story about a fascinating, dedicated man. Had no idea. The Greatest Generation, indeed, Ernie Pyle included.

God bless them all, and all those who continue protect our freedoms.

[PatientWolf]

On business trips when I am overseas over a weekend, I try to visit museums or memorials.

I've been to the US cemetery in Luxembourg (where General Patton is interred) and the Museum that commemorates the Battle of the Bulge (both highly recommended) I've seen bullet holes from the war in buildings in Berlin.

So far I have not been able to bring myself to go to one of the death camps, but am sure I will at some point.

There is so much history to see.

[EasyEd]

Hey All,

I've always wondered why June 6 is all about D-day when June 6 2 years earlier the US Navy won what some historians call the greatest naval battle in all history - Midway in which the navy sank 4 of Japan's top of the line aircraft carriers - after which Japan was basically destined to lose. Guadalcanal was icing on the cake Midway was the key. Yet Midway is forgotten on D-day - is it just cultural?

In my opinion both should be recognized on June 6.

-Ed-

[PT7]

On business trips when I am overseas over a weekend, I try to visit museums or memorials.

I've been to the US cemetery in Luxembourg (where General Patton is interred) and the Museum that commemorates the Battle of the Bulge (both highly recommended) I've seen bullet holes from the war in buildings in Berlin.

So far I have not been able to bring myself to go to one of the death camps, but am sure I will at some point.

There is so much history to see.

Thanks to everyone who commented in the D-Day threads this week.
I for one very much appreciated what you shared in your contributions.

PatientWolf, neat opportunities you have to visit those famous sites. That is really the "hands-on" of seeing history. Thanks for your interesting post about the places you've been at.

I believe, as many others may also think, the events of this 75th remembrance are a turning point in history for our "Greatest Generation," who served in the military, and their family members who supported them. Based on the 2018 Dept of Veterans Affairs tracking stats on the mortality of American World War II veterans yet alive, and how many die every day, there is the definitely high probability that none will remain after the 2025-2030 calendar window. So that makes the 2019 remembrance we just watched this week both unique and very special as history is being recorded.

I once more echo BruniX's hope he stated in his "Memory" thread.

we do not forget. we need to never forget.

Our memory honors their courage and sacrifice.

PT7