June 6th, 1944, in Remembrance
June 6, 1944. This date is one we should all remember.
"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." -- From General Dwight D. Eisenhower's Orders of the Day, June 6, 1944
Many Americans awoke to the news that the invasion had started. Paratroopers from the US 82nd and 101st and the British 6th had been dropped into Normandy during the evening of the 5th and morning of the 6th. Landing craft were delivering troops to the beaches. Remember though, that communication was not as widespread as it is today. My father didn't hear this news until later because his family only ran the radio for short periods of time since they didn't have electricity.
"It wasn't too bad for us sailors, but I think one of the main reasons why Normandy was such a great success was that the soldiers would rather have fought thousands of Germans than go back into those boats and be sea-sick again." -- R. McKinlay as quoted in Caen: Anvil of Victory.
The rough weather may have contributed to the success. No one expected an invasion in such bad weather. The paratroopers that were scattered due to an encountered cloud bank, and enemy flak also contributed to the confusion of the Germans. Still, the rough weather led to many deaths. A person in my hometown was put off in water over his head. He only lived because two of his buddies were taller and held him up so he could breathe and reach shallower water. To this day, he cannot watch Saving Private Ryan as his memories of the day are too strong.
Back in America, during a radio broadcast, the Liberty Bell was tapped with a rubber mallet a dozen times to symbolize "independence". At the end of the show, it was tapped seven times to stand for "liberty".
But people didn't know for sure that this would lead to victory. It was another battle among many; however the Allies were finally taking the war to the Germans. My mother remembers her mother moving thumbtacks on a map, following the progress of the soldiers as it was broadcast back to the states. She also remembers that my grandmother lost a cousin on the beaches of Normandy. Knowing someone who was lost or hurt was not so difficult. For the US alone, approximately 29,000 troops were killed and 106,000 were wounded or missing.
"They fight not for the lust of conquest. They fight to end conquest. They fight to liberate. They fight to let justice arise, and tolerance and goodwill among all Thy people. They yearn but for the end of battle, for their return to the haven of home." --"Let Our Hearts Be Stout" written by President Franklin D. Roosevelt
On the evening of June 6, 1944, President Roosevelt broadcast a prayer. "Let Our Hearts Be Stout" was meant for the soldiers and their families, but also for the average citizen. The title comes from this line, "And let our hearts be stout, to wait out the long travail, to bear sorrows that may come, to impart our courage unto our sons wheresoever they may be." The goal of the war was expressed thusly: "Lead us to the saving of our country, and with our sister nations into a world unity that will spell a sure peace -- a peace invulnerable to the schemings of unworthy men. And a peace that will let all of men live in freedom, reaping the just rewards of their honest toil."
June 6, 1944. Let us remember the brave men who fought for such a noble cause.
"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." -- From General Dwight D. Eisenhower's Orders of the Day, June 6, 1944
Many Americans awoke to the news that the invasion had started. Paratroopers from the US 82nd and 101st and the British 6th had been dropped into Normandy during the evening of the 5th and morning of the 6th. Landing craft were delivering troops to the beaches. Remember though, that communication was not as widespread as it is today. My father didn't hear this news until later because his family only ran the radio for short periods of time since they didn't have electricity.
"It wasn't too bad for us sailors, but I think one of the main reasons why Normandy was such a great success was that the soldiers would rather have fought thousands of Germans than go back into those boats and be sea-sick again." -- R. McKinlay as quoted in Caen: Anvil of Victory.
The rough weather may have contributed to the success. No one expected an invasion in such bad weather. The paratroopers that were scattered due to an encountered cloud bank, and enemy flak also contributed to the confusion of the Germans. Still, the rough weather led to many deaths. A person in my hometown was put off in water over his head. He only lived because two of his buddies were taller and held him up so he could breathe and reach shallower water. To this day, he cannot watch Saving Private Ryan as his memories of the day are too strong.
Back in America, during a radio broadcast, the Liberty Bell was tapped with a rubber mallet a dozen times to symbolize "independence". At the end of the show, it was tapped seven times to stand for "liberty".
But people didn't know for sure that this would lead to victory. It was another battle among many; however the Allies were finally taking the war to the Germans. My mother remembers her mother moving thumbtacks on a map, following the progress of the soldiers as it was broadcast back to the states. She also remembers that my grandmother lost a cousin on the beaches of Normandy. Knowing someone who was lost or hurt was not so difficult. For the US alone, approximately 29,000 troops were killed and 106,000 were wounded or missing.
"They fight not for the lust of conquest. They fight to end conquest. They fight to liberate. They fight to let justice arise, and tolerance and goodwill among all Thy people. They yearn but for the end of battle, for their return to the haven of home." --"Let Our Hearts Be Stout" written by President Franklin D. Roosevelt
On the evening of June 6, 1944, President Roosevelt broadcast a prayer. "Let Our Hearts Be Stout" was meant for the soldiers and their families, but also for the average citizen. The title comes from this line, "And let our hearts be stout, to wait out the long travail, to bear sorrows that may come, to impart our courage unto our sons wheresoever they may be." The goal of the war was expressed thusly: "Lead us to the saving of our country, and with our sister nations into a world unity that will spell a sure peace -- a peace invulnerable to the schemings of unworthy men. And a peace that will let all of men live in freedom, reaping the just rewards of their honest toil."
June 6, 1944. Let us remember the brave men who fought for such a noble cause.
posted by Federation Commander at 11:09 AM
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