Remembering D-Day - June 6, 1944

Allied troops storm the beaches of Normandy

There were 160,000 Allied soldiers who landed on a fifty mile stretch of Nazi-fortified beach in Normandy, France on June 6, 1944. General Dwight Eisenhower called the invasion a crusade in which "we will accept nothing less than full victory." More than 5,000 ships and 13,000 aircraft supported the Normandy invasion and by the end of the day, the troops had gained their foothold in France. The cost was heavy: More than 9,000 Allied troops were killed or wounded.

The following video from the Army's website tells the story of D-Day in the words of the warriors themselves:

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Take time today to thank the brave World War II veterans of Normandy whose courage has become legendary. Without their heroism, the world would be a very different place.

Charles M. Grist
www.MyLastWar.com

Remembering D-Day - June 6, 1944

The extraordinary video (below) was forwarded by a friend in Kentucky:

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Should not be a man alive who doesn't get a wet eye watching this and thinking about those brave boys who fought for our freedom during WWII.

Here is background on this video as given on YouTube:

"While visiting the American cemetery in Normandy, a French gentleman and his friends came upon Amos, and when he realized that Amos was a World War II veteran who fought in Normandy, the French gentleman gave Amos a letter. My brother Joe read the letter to us and as we all listened, we all cried. You can see the thankfulness in the French gentleman, as he holds Amos's hand and thanks him as he leaves. A truly enchanting moment."



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On June 6, pause and offer thanks to those brave warriors of the Greatest Generation who fought their way ashore at Normandy and began the quest to re-capture Europe from the Nazis.

And if you see a World War II veteran at a restaurant - buy his meal....

Charles M. Grist
www.MyLastWar.com

June 6th: The 65th Anniversary of D-Day

I once comforted a man in his 80's who became emotional when he talked about his brother who died at Normandy. The surviving brother also served in combat in World War II, and he came ashore at Anzio.

Please take time to remember the warriors from America's "greatest generation" who courageously stormed beaches that were fiercely defended by German soldiers. Say a prayer today for those who survived and for those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

The following article from the Army Times talks about tomorrow's ceremonies in France:

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D-Day ceremonies to honor 65th anniversary

Army Times
Staff report
Posted : Friday Jun 5, 2009 15:49:27 EDT

Ceremonies commemorating the 65th anniversary of D-Day, the Allied invasion of occupied France during World War II, will kick off in Normandy tomorrow.

Task Force 65, a group of about 800 U.S. soldiers, sailors and airmen from 20 Europe- and stateside-based commands, will participate in ceremonies throughout the Normandy coastal region of France, including events at Mont Saint Michel on Thursday, Utah Beach on Friday, Point du Hoc and Omaha Beach on Saturday — June 6, the actual anniversary of D—Day — and St. Mere Eglise on Sunday.

U.S. Army units participating in the ceremony include elements of the 18th Military Police Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and the 82d Airborne Division.

A French-sponsored airborne operation involving the French Army and paratroopers with the 101st and 82nd and more than 50 Army Reserve soldiers from numerous units will be held June 7 at Amfreville, a drop-zone site used by Allied forces on D-Day.

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God bless the veterans of D-Day and their comrades who gave their lives to begin the final destruction of the Nazi menace.

Charles M. Grist
www.TheCobraTeam.com
www.AmericanRanger.blogspot.com