OT: 75th Anniversary

CTMike

Today marks the 75th anniversary of the D-Day invasions at Normandy. My wife and I spent 10 days touring the area back in 2009. Very humbling to be standing on Omaha Beach, Le Pointe du Hoc, and the Bois Jacques woods and think about what those young men went through to stem the rise of fascism. 

I took this photo at the cemetery of Omaha Beach, T/Sgt Peregory was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions a few days after the landings. Sadly he was killed in further action a few days later. His MOH Citation is a testament to why they are called the greatest generation.

 https://themedalofhonor.com/medal-of-honor-recipients/recipients/peregory-frank-world-war-two



Foxholes still exist in the Bois Jacques outside of Foy (Band Of Brothers winter scene in the foxholes). I can’t imagine the terror as the trees around you are exploding.



We met Cpl. Joe Cannon in St Mere Eglise (think Red Buttons in The Longest Day hanging from the church steeple where his parachute was caught). Joe came ashore with the 3rd wave at Utah Beach and was retracing his footsteps with a friend:



This monument at Le Pointe du Hoc is in remembrance of the Rangers who climbed those cliffs under withering fire. The monument symbolizes the Ranger dagger.



Love him or hate him, President Reagan gave a hell of a speech. This was in June 6th, 1984 at Le Pointe du Hoc:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CTLVIp1AjAg

If if you are able, I highly recommend going to Normandy and Belgium and visiting some of these places. The underground museum/visitor center at the American Cemetery at Omaha Beach is simply incredible.

My hat is off to The Greatest Generation, without which our country would most likely be speaking German or Japanese.

ColtsFan

Here's a cool story

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2019/06/06/d-day-veteran-tom-rice-parachutes-normandy-france-75-years-later/1364235001/

Photo Egg

Sacrifice is a term used today with little meaning compared to years past and I will leave it at that...
I'm listening to the Audio Book "The Hawk and the Dove: Paul Nitze, George Kennan, and the History of the Cold War".
It's an eye opening book.

CornfedMA

Thanks for posting this, Mike. My father lived in Belgium when I was in college, so I was fortunate enough to visit many of the sites in both countries during my yearly visits. Bastogne, Luxembourg, Normandy, Colleville-sur-mere, etc.

I felt then, as I do now, that the cemetery and beaches of Normandy are the most powerful places I’ve ever set foot on this earth. 

These are are photos from my first trip in 2003.

johnnyp

I, too, have been to Omaha Beach in Normandy, Mike.  The topography of the place makes an amphibious assault seem impossible.  Those men must be amongst the most courageous who ever lived. 

JohnInCarolina

Nice tribute on this historical day, Mike.

Spaightlabs

Thanks for sharing your experience Mike.  Very special.

northGAcock

God Bless America and those who gave their all. 

Mickey

Thank you for the post. My father came in on the third wave. 

lkapigian

Thank You for Sharing this

CTMike

CornfedMA said:

Thanks for posting this, Mike. My father lived in Belgium when I was in college, so I was fortunate enough to visit many of the sites in both countries during my yearly visits. Bastogne, Luxembourg, Normandy, Colleville-sur-mere, etc.

I felt then, as I do now, that the cemetery and beaches of Normandy are the most powerful places I’ve ever set foot on this earth. 

These are are photos from my first trip in 2003.

I agree about the sacredness of the ground. We visited almost all of the American cemeteries in France, Luxembourg, and Belgium, sadly there are way too many of them. Just down the road from the American cemetery in Luxembourg is a German cemetery. The stark contrast between the grounds was incredible. The grounds of the American cemetery were immaculate, where the German cemetery was very overgrown and unkempt. 

I commented on that to the Superintendent of the American cemetery, asking who did the groundskeeping for each. He said locals are hired by the American Battlefield Monument Commission to tend the grounds. He went on to say that the last time they had an opening, over 1,000 applications were received. The locals view the groundskeeping as a solemn duty for the debt their country owed to their liberators.

He continued by saying that the only time the German cemeteries get any attention is a couple weeks in the summer when high school students come over.

JohnInCarolina

Another great speech:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=YbSRCSSPkqQ

CTMike

Mickey said:

Thank you for the post. My father came in on the third wave. 

Mad respect to your father Mickey, the bravery displayed by those young men is something I can’t imagine. 

DoubleEgger

Here’s a fantastic piece on D Day with narration over live footage. 

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/videos/category/history/archival-footage-of-d-day/

SemolinaPilchard

Great post, thanks.

BUFFALOMOOSE

God bless them all. 

CornfedMA

@CTMike I was surprised to see the same. Along with the fact that there typically more than one soldier, and sometimes up to 4, per headstone if I remember correctly. 

theyolksonyou

This is so awesome

https://www.cnn.com/travel/amp/ww2-parachute-tom-rice/index.html?__twitter_impression=true

CTMike

CornfedMA said:

@CTMike I was surprised to see the same. Along with the fact that there typically more than one soldier, and sometimes up to 4, per headstone if I remember correctly. 

Yes,

The German headstones commemorated the final resting place of 4 men. They were a dark, dreary black stone. 

ewyllins

Greatest Generation Ever!!!!!!!!!!

TEXASBGE2018

One place on my bucket list to go visit. Agree Greatest Generation.

CTMike

Just just finished my annual ritual of watching “The Longest Day,” outstanding movie. Over the next few days I’ll watch Band of Brothers also. 

thetrim

Great tribute.  It's a bucket list item for sure.