My hat is off and my and my hand is over my heart.
My father served in the Pacific during WWII in the submarine service. All he ever said was that when the depth charges went off, they would make a big bang.
In 1982, coming back from a mission, we stopped and landed on the Island of Iwo Jima and spent the night. We had a chance to get out and walk about. The rusted remains of a battle long silent showed that the island still had the scars created in 1945. Interesting how the island had become tunneled from end to end.
I only had one opportunity to visit the Normandy shore once. It still boggles my mind how these men did what they did and accomplished so much. There really is not much to say as I stood there in silent awe.
The French in that area are very thankful and appreciative of the Americans. Those in Paris cannot care less. When in a discussion with British, French and German military as the Marine Corps liason on intelligence sharing, the French general poo pooed the American contribution to the winning of WWII on the Western Front. I could not help myself and said: how did the French help? by surrendering? You'd be speaking German now if we did not take those beaches. The commanding officer, some Army general at the meeting asked me to leave as he felt I insulted the Germans because they lost the war. I told him I would be glad to leave as I did not want to break bread with a bunch of assholes. I was an "untouchable" and my commanding officer, an admiral, told me "good job"! And said he would have walked out as well.
Here are some pictures that I took.
Omaha Beach
American Cemetery with all the men who gave their lives for France's unappreciated freedom
I think it was Dean Rusk under LBJ who said to De Gaulle when De Gaulle told Rusk to have all American soldiers to leave France: "all of them, Mr. President, including those buried at Normandy?" Obviously, De Gaulle, who envisioned himself the new Napoleon, could not bring himself to add that as well. By the way, De Gaulle was an obstructionist in the war's effort and primadonna. Bottom line on DeGaulle, he was as worthless as tits on a bull.
Here is another picture but I cannot remember if this Point du Hoc or another part of Omaha.
With kind regards, and I agree that this was the greatest generation ever. My Dad always was my hero.
Ed
