Remembering Normandy

[1OldGI]

Caveat: This is NOT...Repeat NOT a political thread. It is about history, justice and the price of freedom. So for the love of all things holy don't get your panties in a wad.

I thought that on the eve of the anniversary of the D-Day landing, I'd take a minute to review a speech by the greatest American leader of my lifetime, Ronald Reagan. Some would say the "Greatest Generation" is all but gone that wouldn't be entirely untrue but similar scenes of commitment and sacrifice are played out daily in Iraq and Afghanistan. Whether you agree with the wars or not, you can't help but admire and respect those so committed to doing the right thing even when they have very little to gain and everything to lose. Enjoy!

http://www.presidentreagan.info/speeches/normandy.cfm

 

[krissy]

on the plus side I am one of the few here who can get their 'panties in a wad' but not over this.

Thank you for reminding us why our great country send our boys into battle. To protect the freedom of people. Not just the freedom our own country but the freedoms of those who live in other countries as well. Some may not return, but they died being the greatest of hero's.

I see your ID here, and the letters are "1OldGI" but I read 1 proud GI

 

[blackfoot]

on the plus side I am one of the few here who can get their 'panties in a wad' but not over this.

Thank you for reminding us why our great country send our boys into battle. To protect the freedom of people. Not just the freedom our own country but the freedoms of those who live in other countries as well. Some may not return, but they died being the greatest of hero's.

I see your ID here, and the letters are "1OldGI" but I read 1 proud GI

Those were amzing days, and amazing men.

 

[jazzman]

No one appreciates the sacrifices and service of our WWII servicemen more than I. I've had the honor of knowing many of them quite well and the honor of studying with some of the greatest historians of that period. But I'm afraid it's hard to keep politics out of a thread that puts President Reagan ahead of President Eisenhower as the greatest leader of our lifetimes. (And Reagan is not second on my list.)

 

[Topgumby]

“Our landings have failed and I have withdrawn the troops. My decision to attack at this time and place was based on the best information available. The troops, the air and the Navy did all that bravery could do. If any blame or fault attaches to the attempt it is mine alone.”

This message, drafted by Eisenhower to be released in case the landings tanked, makes the war a little more real to those of us who have always looked on WWII has a foregone event that plays out in movies and documentaries just as it should.

My father, shortly before he died at 83 years of age, told me that he wondered if he would be called to task for the Germans he had killed in the war.

I think it's possible to reflect on D-Day and stay above partisan politics, and I concede that President Reagan could give a fine speech. Then again, so could President Clinton or any of the other politicians of recent memory, the vast majority of whom share something in common: The were not in a landing craft, behind a gun defending the beach, or getting ready to jump on that day.

There were good men fighting for what they thought was right on both sides on D-Day, and I'm sure there were some pretty despicable characters doing despicable and heroic things, too. I'd wager the vast majority were ordinary folks doing what they thought they had to do, in circumstances that defy my ability to imagine.

As far as politicians making speeches go, I think Lincoln's words fit the case of Normandy as well as they fit the case in Pennsylvania:

"But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract.

 

[DunEdinRanger]

Gumby,

+1 except I never felt that Presidents Ford, Carter, GHW Bush, and GW Bush were good public speakers.

 

[Bflobill 1125]

I hope all Americans take some time tomorrow to reflect on "The Longest Day" .Sixty five years ago one of the greatest military challenges of all time was begun,at an extremely high cost of life.I will begin my day tomorrow by visiting the grave of a D Day hero who was killed in action on bloody Omaha 6/6/44.I have been tending to his grave for many years,I guess his family is all gone. I have researched what happened to him that early June morning,he and so many others truly landed in hell on earth.Lets please remember their great sacrifice tomorrow.

 

[slcsteve]

Freedom Wall, a field of 4,000 Gold Stars serves as a solemn reminder of those who lost their lives during World War II. Each gold star on this wall at the National World War II Memorial represents 100 American lives lost during the fighting.

 

[1OldGI]

No one appreciates the sacrifices and service of our WWII servicemen more than I. I've had the honor of knowing many of them quite well and the honor of studying with some of the greatest historians of that period. But I'm afraid it's hard to keep politics out of a thread that puts President Reagan ahead of President Eisenhower as the greatest leader of our lifetimes. (And Reagan is not second on my list.)

Point of Order Mr. Speaker. Ike, although a great American, a great leader and a great GI was NOT president during my lifetime. I entered the world during the administration of JFK...further comment witheld at the risk of offense.

 

[Shane]

Any and all partisan mania aside, this was a generation that taught a lot of lessons. While some of us complain about something as asinine as traffic, these brave fighters risked, gave and took lives so that we as Americans and many nations in the world could be free from the grip of tyranny, and they did so under harsh conditions. Duty, honor, country. That says it all. Remember their sacrifice.

 

[Sue]

Dad (seated), always in my heart. Sue

USAAF, B24 Liberator - S/Sgt., Tail Gunner, WWII

 

[JdB]

Thanks to the Allied forces I live in peace. These men are HEROES.


JdB

 

[Austin]

Any and all partisan mania aside, this was a generation that taught a lot of lessons. While some of us complain about something as asinine as traffic, these brave fighters risked, gave and took lives so that we as Americans and many nations in the world could be free from the grip of tyranny, and they did so under harsh conditions. Duty, honor, country. That says it all. Remember their sacrifice.

Agreed.

Keep politics out of this thread or members will be tossed out of the Barber Shop forums.

 

[Alacrity59]

There were 73K from the US . . 61k from the UK and 23K from Canada involved in D-Day. Please keep us Non-American's in mind. Not me though . . . I was in the reserves but my dad was in Italy, France, and Holland in WWII. He never wanted to march in any parade, had an amazingly huge scar on his back from a hand grenade wound and once in a while talked about turning toward the fellow next to him in a trench and found him with no head. He pretty much taught my brother and I both not to celebrate war but to understand responsibility and respect for what needs to be done.

I'll point out that we are not in Canada a very large country population wise even now in 2009 . . . so 23K back then when we were a small part of the British Empire in terms of actual real people was a very big thing.

 

[garyg]

The Canadians have always stood tall, at Juno Beach, & today in Afganistan, the true north strong & free.

 

[mretzloff]

No one appreciates the sacrifices and service of our WWII servicemen more than I.

I highly, highly doubt that.


I'd like to take a moment to thank all those who have and continue to serve our country, and every other country that stands for democracy.

 

[blackfoot]

There were 73K from the US . . 61k from the UK and 23K from Canada involved in D-Day. Please keep us Non-American's in mind. Not me though . . . I was in the reserves but my dad was in Italy, France, and Holland in WWII. He never wanted to march in any parade, had an amazingly huge scar on his back from a hand grenade wound and once in a while talked about turning toward the fellow next to him in a trench and found him with no head. He pretty much taught my brother and I both not to celebrate war but to understand responsibility and respect for what needs to be done.

I'll point out that we are not in Canada a very large country population wise even now in 2009 . . . so 23K back then when we were a small part of the British Empire in terms of actual real people was a very big thing.

That is a good point. I have gotten to visit some WW I & WW II sites in Belgium and am equally impressed with the sacrifices made by all of the Allied Forces. The Canadians, in particular, seem to get left out of the glory for some reason.

 

[ouch]

The Canadians, in particular, seem to get left out of the gory for some reason.

Talk about a Freudian slip. They may have been left out of the glory, but they got plenty of "gory". As mentioned, on a per capita basis, their contribution was not inconsequential, and they should be applauded for the fine job they did. While Europeans were fighting for their homeland, it takes a special effort to travel around the world to help.

 

[blackfoot]

Talk about a Freudian slip. They may have been left out of the glory, but they got plenty of "gory". As mentioned, on a per capita basis, their contribution was not inconsequential, and they should be applauded for the fine job they did. While Europeans were fighting for their homeland, it takes a special effort to travel around the world to help.

Thank you, I have fixed that now.

 

[Lavaine]

Today the sacrifices of all Allied forces are remembered. My grandfather was in Italy during the war, and was not involved in D-Day, but today I still remember what he, and all his fellow soldiers, did for all of us.

Thank you Grandpa, you are missed.