Community Chat

[Oznell]

Does it seem like it could be 80 years since that landmark day?  Those wonderful, sacrificial soldiers saved our world, and many of them lost theirs in their noble effort. About 4,500 Allied troops died.  Undying gratitude for their bravery, suffering and sacrifice.  

They break your heart--

The ceremonies, involving people and groups from the world across, will be memorable this year, as always.

There'll be stirring speeches, parachutists, fireworks, light shows, sacred services.

Lots of "little moments",  too.  Ahead of the ceremony, ailing King Charles of Britain invited a U.K. veteran, Jim Miller, to personally receive a 100th birthday card. 

The youngest veterans of the event are in their 90's.  Amazingly, a fairly large contingent plan to show up in Normandy this year.  Bravo!

The French people have never forgotten, and welcome them with utmost love.   Normandy is a very special part of France.

The beaches where landings of the U.S., Brits, and Canadians took place--    

Today, those beaches have an eerie beauty, like Omaha Beach:

Or Juno Beach:

On the eve of D-Day,  General "Ike" Eisenhower with his troops.    The D-Day ceremonies are a lasting salute to the forethought, daring and courage of all involved.   

[jackthebear]

thank you 

I love this quote"When they were young, these men saved the world."

I thought it was RR but it was Clinton on the 50th anniversary 

[IMW]

My uncle was on the beach at Normandy he received 5 medals---including silver ⭐️, bronze star ⭐️ etc and never told us.

My father was in the Philippines wounded --bronze star- 18 months in VA hospital---never mentioned it.

When I was growing up most of the men had served-

'remembered one had what they then called 'shell shock"- known now as PSTD.

Where would we be without the sacrifices of The Greatest Generation?

[I am still oxox]

My Dad Received a purple heart. My favorite photo of him on the beach in France post D Day

[wilma]

Thank you to all the men and women who have served in the branches of the armed forces in the past and currently serve. I greatly appreciate the sacrifice of all service members. 

My father served in WW2 in Italy and North Africa. He was in his early 20s. He was lucky and came home unwounded at the end of the war, but he had recurring nightmares about those years until he died in 2012. During the war, my mom corresponded with him through a local church letter writing campaign. He met my mom when he came home, and they married in 1948.

[haddon9]

My dad served in the Navy. He was stationed in Pearl Harbor. He rarely spoke about the war. It seems that most veterans didn't like to talk about it.

I would love to visit Normandy some day. I think it would be fascinating.

[meallen616]

ROYALTY-FREE STOCK PHOTO

[Desert Lily]

I think I've mentioned before that my dad landed & fought at Normandy. He was in the 8th Armored Division.

If my dad were still alive, he'd be turning 100 years old this month. He's buried in Veterans' Memorial on the West coast.

The older I get, the more the visuals & videos of Normandy & WW2 affect me. 

[ruthbe]

My Dad was WW2 and my grandfather WW1.  My dad was wounded in his right arm and they almost had to amputate.  He was one of the lucky ones.  Both of them never wanted to talk about the war.  I can understand.  We can never thank our Veterans enough.

[LindaSal]

@Oznell Thank you for your beautiful post.  We were just at Normandy in April, visited Utah and Omaha beaches and the Normandy American Cemetary.  We layed white long stem roses on the beaches and watched as they washed away with the tide.  It's quite humbling as was Pearl Harbor which we were also fortunate to experience.