June 6Th - D-Day

KRAM1 · June 6, 2011

Today is the 67th anniversary of D-day. On this day in 1944 some 160,000 Allied troops landed on five beaches on the French coast in Normandy to attack the Axis forces in France and to begin the liberation of Europe. More than 9000 Allied troops were killed or wounded on this day 67 years ago.

My wife and I have been lucky enough to visit American, British and German cemeteries in Normandy. It is a very moving sight and one in which you cannot help but become emotional. These young troops faced horrific fire from the German defenders, yet they pressed forward and would not be denied their objective.

The people who live in the Normandy area have not forgotten these brave and honorable soldiers, it is too bad that the rest of the world seems to have pretty much forgotten. The Dallas Morning News had one little mention on page 14A this morning. We all owe much to those who fought in this war to preserve our freedoms and those of so very many others. Please take at least a second or two to pause and remember what took place on this day some 67 years ago. Most of those who participated have either died or are in their late 70's and 80's. It's not too late to look up a WWII vet and thank them for their service.

May God bless them one and all and may they forever be honored for their service.

DeepGreen · June 6, 2011

Amen to that Kram1. We all owe so much to the veterans of WWII, and on this day, a special remembrance to veterans of the Allied Forces who took part in this historic day.

And a special thanks to a gentleman that I know personally, who lives in the Beaumont/Port Arthur area for his brave participation in the invasion. He was an Army Ranger on that day who scaled the cliffs at Pointe du Hoc. Such bravery.

Thank you Cal, and God bless you.

KRAM1 · June 6, 2011

Amen to that Kram1. We all owe so much to the veterans of WWII, and on this day, a special remembrance to veterans of the Allied Forces who took part in this historic day.

And a special thanks to a gentleman that I know personally, who lives in the Beaumont/Port Arthur area for his brave participation in the invasion. He was an Army Ranger on that day who scaled the cliffs at Pointe du Hoc. Such bravery.

Thank you Cal, and God bless you.

I am fortunate to have stood right on those cliffs at Pointe du Hoc. I actually saw them from the bottom where our troops started the climb and from the top where the German troops were waiting. Amazing that, with the equipment of the day and the weight these guys were carrying, that they were able to not only make that climb, but to fight so well after doing so. Amazing feat of courage. My thanks to your friend who actually made the climb. He has my deepest gratitude and everlasting thanks for a job well done.

FirefightnRick · June 6, 2011

Good post Classic. This was the first things the kids and I talked about when they got up this morning, followed by an hour of "Surviving D Day" on the military channel.

Another reminder that Freedom isn't Free!

Rick

Mean Green 93-98 · June 6, 2011

Thanks for the reminder.

Claude Parker, one of several great WWII heroes I've been privileged to know, parachuted into Normandy on D-Day. His parachute was riddled with bullet holes, but he landed unscathed. It was then he knew that someone was praying for him and that some One was looking out for him. He was not a Christian at the time, but his girlfriend back stateside (who would become his wife) was. When he returned, he gave his life to preaching the Gospel, and died in Denton, Texas in February of 2003 (as I recall).