66 Years Ago Today...

[Doc4]

D-Day is not only an incredible collection of courage and determinaton, but has come to be a symbol of all those other times when our brave fighting men have faced unspeakable hardship and peril, and gave it their all in defence of our freedom.

So when you pause to remember D-Day, remember too Iwo Jima, Vimy Ridge, El Alemain, Bastogne, and a thousand other battles (big and small) where the fighting was just as deadly but the name not so famous.

 

[SRock]

That was just a movie. The reality had to be far worse.

You got that right!

Unfathomable.

Even for those who have survived combat I believe D-day is still unfathomable!

Those brave souls saved the world. Period.

You got that right!

God Bless them all. Like all of these events there seems to be less and less of an acknowledgement each year. We should never forget and teach our children what they did and endured.

I agree this is an unfortunate reality.

+Infinity

I'll see your Infinity and raise you Infinity!

May all of those men who fought that day, whether they lived or died as heroes, be forever indebted by those they protect.

Very well said!

D-Day is not only an incredible collection of courage and determinaton, but has come to be a symbol of all those other times when our brave fighting men have faced unspeakable hardship and peril, and gave it their all in defence of our freedom.

So when you pause to remember D-Day, remember too Iwo Jima, Vimy Ridge, El Alemain, Bastogne, and a thousand other battles (big and small) where the fighting was just as deadly but the name not so famous.

Excellent point/addition, Ian!

 

[Shave A Buck]

Not too much on the television about D Day..no TCM movie blitz or even on the documentry channels. Another monumental moment in our history fadding away.

 

[SRock]

Not too much on the television about D Day..no TCM movie blitz or even on the documentry channels. Another monumental moment in our history fadding away.

That is really sad. I didn't really see it/notice because all I have for TV is the American Forces Network. They did the D-Day memory proud. We had all kinds of movies, documentaries and specials about D-Day and the heroes that made it a success.

Anybody seen Ike: Countdown to D-Day?

I hadn't seen it before the anniversary. I didn't like Tom Selleck as Eisenhower, but overall it was a solid docu-drama.

 

[ouch]

Not too much on the television about D Day..no TCM movie blitz or even on the documentry channels. Another monumental moment in our history fadding away.

Some folks still get it.

 

[bigstick]

They are not forgotten.

 

[auk1124]

Today, June 7, also marks the end of the battle of Midway which took place in 1942. God bless the countless men of D-Day and the brave sailors and aviators in the Pacific who fought, suffered, and died to save us all.

 

[DFrancis]

The first 10 minutes of the film Saving Private Ryan is an authentic representation of what those guys faced that day.
It is no small thing that they were called the Greatest Generation.

My brother told me when he saw it in the theatre, there was a small group of vets sitting in front of him tearing up during the scene.

 

[SRock]

Some folks still get it.

 

[Doc4]

That is really sad. I didn't really see it/notice because all I have for TV is the American Forces Network. They did the D-Day memory proud. We had all kinds of movies, documentaries and specials about D-Day and the heroes that made it a success.

Anybody seen Ike: Countdown to D-Day?

I hadn't seen it before the anniversary. I didn't like Tom Selleck as Eisenhower, but overall it was a solid docu-drama.

Casting John Hillerman as Churchill was brilliant, but Roger E. Mosely was not convincing as Patton, and his habit of calling Churchill "Winnie-baby" all the time somewhat distracting.

 

[Jon1944]

Enough can never be said for what the Greatest Generation did. There is a move underway to start a National WW II remembrance day. I found out about it in America in WW II magazine. There was an article about it. The magazine talks about how as the WW II vets die off and are one day all gone, people will gradually lose interest in the war and it will fade into history. The National WW II day would help prevent this by keeping the memory alive. Here is the link to the site it is http://www.spiritof45.org/. You guys should check it out.

 

[thunderball]

All Canadians can be proud of what happened on Juno Beach.

 

[rfm2]

Just saw this thread and wanted to comment on Omaha Beach specifically. While I was stationed in Germany I spent about a weeks' vacation in western France and toured the D-Day beaches. My thoughts on seeing Omaha were that no one could have survived crossing that wide open killing field. German bunkers and machine guns nests are built into the bluffs towering over the couple hundred yards wide flat beach and have clear views of the whole expanse. There was nowhere to hide. I still can't believe the outcome of that battle - the courage and determination of the fighting men on that day should never be forgotten.

 

[SRock]

Casting John Hillerman as Churchill was brilliant, but Roger E. Mosely was not convincing as Patton, and his habit of calling Churchill "Winnie-baby" all the time somewhat distracting.

I agree 100%. Excellent assessment!

Just saw this thread and wanted to comment on Omaha Beach specifically. While I was stationed in Germany I spent about a weeks' vacation in western France and toured the D-Day beaches. My thoughts on seeing Omaha were that no one could have survived crossing that wide open killing field. German bunkers and machine guns nests are built into the bluffs towering over the couple hundred yards wide flat beach and have clear views of the whole expanse. There was nowhere to hide. I still can't believe the outcome of that battle - the courage and determination of the fighting men on that day should never be forgotten.

Agreed, the heroics of that Generation are/were simply amazing!

All Canadians can be proud of what happened on Juno Beach.

 

[Mr. O]

Amen.

 

[goby]

Those brave souls saved the world. Period.

First, you see my veteran tag. 3 years active, 3 years reserve in the US Army.

Second, I'm sorry if I appear to be a troll, but they did not save the world on D-Day. The Soviet Union saved the world. 7 out of 8 German casualties happened on the Eastern Front. The Soviet Union was the strongest military force in history in 1944.

Stalingrad, Kursk, and arguably Operation Bagration were much more important in the defeat of Nazi Germany than D-Day.

That doesn't diminish the role of the Americans. And the Russians were never taught how we saved their butts at the beginning of the war with supplies. But the Germans would have been defeated even without D-Day. At least I think so.

 

[Mr. O]

First, you see my veteran tag. 3 years active, 3 years reserve in the US Army.

Second, I'm sorry if I appear to be a troll, but they did not save the world on D-Day. The Soviet Union saved the world. 7 out of 8 German casualties happened on the Eastern Front. The Soviet Union was the strongest military force in history in 1944.

Stalingrad, Kursk, and arguably Operation Bagration were much more important in the defeat of Nazi Germany than D-Day.

That doesn't diminish the role of the Americans. And the Russians were never taught how we saved their butts at the beginning of the war with supplies. But the Germans would have been defeated even without D-Day. At least I think so.

Sorry man, not buying it. The USSR lost the most troops in WWII Europe than all miltaries in the European theatre combined. Here's the breakdown:
USSR: 8.6-10.6 million
Germany: 2.3 million
British Commonwealth: 576,000
USA: 292,000

The Soviet Union was the strongest military force in history in 1944.

Again, not buying it. The 2 most technologically advanced countries in the world in 1944 was Germany and America. A good bit of military technology was first developed by the Germans. If Germany had more time, they would have beat us in creating a nuclear bomb. There were working on this and had also developed stealth technology in conjunction with a long range bomber very similar to our Stealth Bomber today. You know what the Russians had during this war? A rifle for every 2 soldiers because the only thing there were not in short supply of were Russians.

the Germans would have been defeated even without D-Day.

I completely disagree with this one as well. I cannot see how but would gladly like for you to share your thoughts on this.

 

[SRock]

First, you see my veteran tag. 3 years active, 3 years reserve in the US Army.

Second, I'm sorry if I appear to be a troll, but they did not save the world on D-Day. The Soviet Union saved the world. 7 out of 8 German casualties happened on the Eastern Front. The Soviet Union was the strongest military force in history in 1944.

Stalingrad, Kursk, and arguably Operation Bagration were much more important in the defeat of Nazi Germany than D-Day.

That doesn't diminish the role of the Americans. And the Russians were never taught how we saved their butts at the beginning of the war with supplies. But the Germans would have been defeated even without D-Day. At least I think so.

You are right, that did come across trollish but I get your point. The fact remains that all who did what they did in the name of freedom and to stop the Nazi's contributed greatly. I think one big difference between the USSR and the USA is the fact that American's never shot one another for trying to retreat. The USSR didn't properly supply all of their people and even killed their own for nothing more than trying to survive. The American's did what they did of their own free will and while many many people were drafted they still fought with bravery and distinction.

Sorry man, not buying it. The USSR lost the most troops in WWII Europe than all miltaries in the European theatre combined. Here's the breakdown:
USSR: 8.6-10.6 million
Germany: 2.3 million
British Commonwealth: 576,000
USA: 292,000




Again, not buying it. The 2 most technologically advanced countries in the world in 1944 was Germany and America. A good bit of military technology was first developed by the Germans. If Germany had more time, they would have beat us in creating a nuclear bomb. There were working on this and had also developed stealth technology in conjunction with a long range bomber very similar to our Stealth Bomber today. You know what the Russians had during this war? A rifle for every 2 soldiers because the only thing there were not in short supply of were Russians.



I completely disagree with this one as well. I cannot see how but would gladly like for you to share your thoughts on this.

I agree with everything you've said here. However...

Guys, lets all please remember the spirit and intent of this post. It was meant solely as a means for people to express gratitude to the brave souls who stormed the beaches on D-Day because it was posted on that particular anniversary not as a 'this military is greater than that military' debate.

 

[Mr. O]

You are right, that did come across trollish but I get your point. The fact remains that all who did what they did in the name of freedom and to stop the Nazi's contributed greatly. I think one big difference between the USSR and the USA is the fact that American's never shot one another for trying to retreat. The USSR didn't properly supply all of their people and even killed their own for nothing more than trying to survive. The American's did what they did of their own free will and while many many people were drafted they still fought with bravery and distinction.



I agree with everything you've said here. However...

Guys, lets all please remember the spirit and intent of this post. It was meant solely as a means for people to express gratitude to the brave souls who stormed the beaches on D-Day because it was posted on that particular anniversary not as a 'this military is greater than that military' debate.

Absolutely sir. Bowing out now.

 

[SRock]

Absolutely sir. Bowing out now.

FYI, that was nothing against you or anyone in particular I just didn't want us all to lose focus on the intent of this particular thread! Thanks for understanding.