I spent part of the day today scanning thru online newspapers and web pages looking for some kind of recognition of today's date in history. I was sorely disappointed.
However, I believe this is a hugely important day for all of us to remember.
June 6, 1944 D-Day
On June 6, 1944 over 150,000 American, British and Canadian troops raided the beaches of Normandy.
Over 13,000 paratroopers dropped in behind German enemy lines.
The exact number of casualty figures is debatable.
However, at least 9,000 to 12,000 Allied troops lost their lives in that one day alone.
It is believed that over 60,000 Allied troops lost their lives to take and hold that piece of land.
Every time I look at the following photos, I often wonder what kind of incredible courage it took for each and every soldier to step off the platform into the water or to hurl their bodies out of airplane into the unknown.
"Almighty God. Our sons, pride of our nations, 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. They will be sore tried by night and by day without rest until the victory is won. Some will never return. Embrace these Father and receive them, the heroic servants, into Thy Kingdom." - President Roosevelt's prayer on D-Day
It is my belief that these courageous men saved the world.
Thank you.
2 comments:
In today's world an operation such as this might never happen. I mean after all, the Germans never did anything (imagine the protests) to us and the slacker generation would never show up if their draft number was called.
For the few million men and women in uniform today - those who volunteer - we owe a similar debt of gratitude because this country has seen it's greatest generation come and go. Sadly, threats against this nation will be answered by few instead of all.
Amen to the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen (and their leaders) who made Operation Overlord a success.
That there are fewer today makes them all the greater in my view.
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