Day of Days

Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force! You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty loving people everywhere march with you.
In company with our brave Allies and brothers-in-arms on other Fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world.
Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely. But this is the year 1944! Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of I940-4I. The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats, in open battle, man-to-man. Our air offensive has seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions of war, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men.
The tide has turned! The free men of the world are marching together to Victory! I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full Victory!
Good Luck! And let us beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.

- Dwight David Eisenhower, Supreme Commander Allied Expeditionary Force

Powerful words written to the Allied forces on June 5, 1944. Sixty-five years have since passed and to me the impact of the event still holds special meaning. The event, of course, being the D-Day invasion of Normandy in France and the beginning of the end of World War II.

On D-Day, the Allies landed around 156,000 troops in Normandy. The American forces landed numbered 73,000: 23,250 on Utah Beach, 34,250 on Omaha Beach, and 15,500 airborne troops. In the British and Canadian sector, 83,115 troops were landed (61,715 of them British): 24,970 on Gold Beach, 21,400 on Juno Beach, 28,845 on Sword Beach, and 7900 airborne troops.

11,590 aircraft were available to support the landings. On D-Day, Allied aircraft flew 14,674 sorties, and 127 were lost.

In the airborne landings on both flanks of the beaches, 2395 aircraft and 867 gliders of the RAF and USAAF were used on D-Day.

I know Memorial Day just passed but I think it significant enough to mention that perhaps an extra moment of silence be observed for the troops that died trying to end Nazi tyranny and return freedom to Europe before the fall of the Iron Curtain.

I feel the quote Winston Chruchill, Prime Minister of England during the war, said during the height of the Battle of Britain holds true for the D-day invasion and the result in the war. “Never in the field of conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.”

Most Americans see the invasion as purely American when in fact there were several countries participating. The three main nations were England who attacked beaches code named Gold and Sword beach. The United States who attacked Utah and Omaha beaches. And Canada who attacked Juno Beach. There were also troops fighting for the free French, Poland, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Greece, and the Netherlands.
In addition to the above, the Royal Australian Air Force, Royal New Zealand Air Force, and Royal Norwegian Navy provided support for the landings.
On a side note, the 65th anniversary of the invasion is scheduled for this tomorrow and the French planned the event. The French of course get picked on mercilessly by the Americans (For good reason – Freedom fries, toast, etc.) for one thing or another and this time is no exception. Who the hell do the French think they are. If you ever had a desire to rule France, just ask, they’ll surrender. In the planning of the Anniversary, which our President is attending, the French did not invite the Queen of England. Who as it happens was actually alive and volunteered during the conflict. According to the British newspaper, The Mail, “… last night French officials crushed any remaining hopes, admitting they had never had any plans to invite members of the British Royal Family.

How’s that for a thank you for saving our crepe suzette eating asses? Brilliant. Look I understand the French and English haven’t been on the greatest of terms over history but seriously? Can’t they come together on this? The queen is bound by protocol to not invite herself, which would also be insane, so this is truly a tragedy. Too bad President Obama couldn’t refuse to attend, pending her invitation. Oh well, the important thing I guess is to remember what was done there and the impact it has had on the world since.

I was not allowed to serve in the military, thank you asthma, which has been one of my biggest disappointments in life. I can not imagine serving a greater cause, with the exception of serving God, than serving one’s country. Because I couldn’t serve I hold those who do, and did, including but not limited to, my cousin Chris (Marines), cousin-in-law Vince (Navy), Grandfather (Army), Uncle (Army) and several more I won’t remember in the highest esteem. To them and to the great people of the United States Armed Services, I say, “Thank you. Your deeds and service will not be forgotten.”