Community Chat

[Tshirtgal]

I have been to the Normandy AMerican Cemetery, Memorial, and Museum in France  as well as the Florence American Cemetery in Italy to celebrate Memorial Day.  Both are a sobering reminder how special it is to be American and how supportive we were to liberating our Allies.  Most of the men in my family served in the armed forces. I love America and don't let our horrible politics overshawdow my patriotism.  

[Oznell]

The military beach observances and traditional ceremonies in French villages of D-Day are so sacred and meaningful.

I just found out about a permanent stateside tribute to D-Day, that is opening for the first time today, June 6 2026, in Grafton, Illinois.

It's the National Memorial of Military Ascent.

It depicts 12 bronze statues of U.S. Army Rangers scaling a 100 foot cliff to commemorate the famous Rangers' D-Day assault at Pointe du Hoc.

The mayor of Grafton, veteran Mike Morrow, was inspired after a visit to Normandy, and he and his wife were struck by how a cliff in Grafton resembled French cliffs. 

So the memorial is set amid limestone bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River and the Great River Road.

The bronze Rangers are life size--  here, before installation. 

The memorial, says Morrow, is destined to honor all veterans, not just the acclaimed "boys of Pointe du Hoc", who sustained heavy casualties in their ascent.

How great that it was able to be opened today.

    

[just bee]

[cimeranrose]

What a wonderful memorial that is! Thank you for sharing this information @Oznell .

[haddon9]

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@Tshirtgal wrote:

I have been to the Normandy AMerican Cemetery, Memorial, and Museum in France  as well as the Florence American Cemetery in Italy to celebrate Memorial Day.  Both are a sobering reminder how special it is to be American and how supportive we were to liberating our Allies.  Most of the men in my family served in the armed forces. I love America and don't let our horrible politics overshawdow my patriotism.  

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@Tshirtgal I feel the same way.  I also hope to visit Normandy one day.

[Desert Lily]

My dad was in the 58th Armored Division as a medic and landed at Normandy on D Day. 

[tototwo]

@Desert Lily 

Thank you for letting us know.  I have the highest respect for those who fought in our wars and helped give us the freedoms we enjoy now.

    My dad was in WWII and I have 4 photo albums that my mom put together back in the 40's with his and others' photos of wartime.   My dad was 105 when he passed last fall.  He always spoke of his buddies and their destinies back during The War.  He never forgot.  I hope none of us do.

[Mombo1]

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@tototwo wrote:

@Desert Lily 

Thank you for letting us know.  I have the highest respect for those who fought in our wars and helped give us the freedoms we enjoy now.

    My dad was in WWII and I have 4 photo albums that my mom put together back in the 40's with his and others' photos of wartime.   My dad was 105 when he passed last fall.  He always spoke of his buddies and their destinies back during The War.  He never forgot.  I hope none of us do.

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@tototwo    My dad was also in WWll ....My brother was born while he was there.  He didn't get to see him until he was 6 months old...It was difficult for my mom... but she and her generation respected all who fought and ....as you said... highly respected those who gave us the freedoms we have today.   

[Lakelife62]

[DottieBlue]

Thank you for the photos.

My Dad was also in  WWII, in North Africa and Italy. He was part of the ground crew who loaded the bombs onto the planes.

My oldest sister was just an infant, and after our Dad got shipped out overseas, my mom and sister moved back in with our Mom's parents.  My Mom worked double shifts at a factory (was a Rosie-the-Riveter) while her mom and younger sister looked after her infant daughter.  Fortunately for us, my Dad came home safe.

What an amazing epoch.  No one was spared from it,  everyone was affected to some degree.  We must never forget how evil came to power and what it took to crush it.