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Remembering D-Day
Yesterday we remembered a hero from Iwo Jima. Today let’s not forget those who landed on the beaches of Normandy 64 years ago, a brave act that led to the liberation of Europe. On June 6, 1944, President Franklin D. Roosevelt asked the nation to join him in prayer:
Almighty God: Our sons, pride of our Nation, 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. Lead them straight and true; give strength to their arms, stoutness to their hearts, steadfastness in their faith.
They will need Thy blessings. Their road will be long and hard. For the enemy is strong. He may hurl back our forces. Success may not come with rushing speed, but we shall return again and again; and we know that by Thy grace, and by the righteousness of our cause, our sons will triumph. …
You can read and hear the entire prayer at The American Presidency Project website.
back to top11 Comments to “Remembering D-Day”
There used to be a sign in the lobby of the Defense Mapping Agency every June 6. It said,
“D-Day
June 6, 1944
Lest We Forget”
Most of us have forgotten by now. We don’t remember what war is. But we needn’t worry, Obama will solve all of it.
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Thanks for this honorable reminder
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Thanks to our brave heros. I think many are nearing the end of their lives now.
Question: Having watched numerous WWII documentaries and movies, I can’t help wondering whether there isn’t a better way to storm beaches than just marching straight into machine gun nests. I am particularly concerned about this since the Marines often have this task and my son will be one.
Modern Marines now have the V22 Osprey for flying in troops, but these don’t have nose guns or the maneuverability of helicopters and are particularly vulnerable when landing.
I like the feinting move we pulled off in Kuwait, pretending to land somewhere else. I think the same thing was done on D-Day and many other places which helped dramatically reduce the losses. Hitler didn’t know we were coming.
So while the Picket’s charge style of running straight into enemy guns is extremely brave and manly, it doesn’t seem like a good use of resources. Maybe this is why I am not a military commander!
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Xion, there will never be another landing like D-Day. It will be much quicker. Air assault is much more refined now. All of warfare has changed, except this. No enemy will quit until his resources are exhausted, or his will to fight is gone.
As the Marines say, “Engage the enemy and destroy his will to resist.”
In Korea and Viet Nam, we had surpeior resources, but not the will.
Now? We will see.
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There’s an uncle in the family who was there. But now time and Alzheimer’s has robbed him of memory. Fortunately before he lost touch, he had put down his wartime memories into a booklet which his son had made into a book, complete with photos. It’s an important part of our legacy.
His brother (my FiL) also served, but in the Pacific. We hear some stories, more about the time away from the front, the pranks, etc. The other day we took out the shoe box and went through the photos — the hazy ones of palm trees somewhere in New Guinea. Sadly, memory also is fading.
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Xion,
The Marines still use troop carrying landing craft that will storm a beach and/or run on land if needed. I know a driver/crew leader. He operates the machine gun and grenade launcher from the cab.
Topic: Can you imagine the apoplexy and bombast that would erupt if today’s President even considered speaking similar words to those FDR did. Once the pre-event speech was released to the MSM, the world certainly would stop spinning and go backwards.
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Thanks for your great post. I was convicted this morning that I’ve almost forgotten this American holy-day. I wrote a short note on my blog and have challenged others to (1)write about D-Day, (2)post a flag on their blog, and (3)write someone they know who is deployed. Read the details at http://www.wmarkwhitlock.com
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#6 Rond,
I can see President Biush doing so but just imagine Obamma asking America to join him in a prayer this for our Champions in Afghanistan and Iraq.
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Thanks for reminding us.
Those guys were real heroes. Isn’t it strange some
of the Americans who pass for heroes among the younger generations?
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We really weren’t just charging into machine gun nests. That’s the part that’s dramatic so that’s what the movies are about.
Omaha Beach was certainly heavily defended, but others were more lightly defended and some of the landings were virtually uncontested in their first hours. One reason is that we DID have a decoy. We stationed an entire fake army right across from Calais, including wooden tanks, empty tents, etc. It worked to a certain extent.
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John M., what about Utah Beach? It wasn’t until Reagan went to the 50th anniversary that I found out that my father had landed there. I’ve often wondered how bad that was. He never told us. I’ve seen Saving Private Ryan, and when it came out the judge I worked for told me his friend who had been there had to walk out; the sound of the tanks bothered both of them. Any idea?
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