Let's Talk BBQ
General => General Discussion & Topics => General Discussion => Topic started by: deestafford on June 06, 2013, 07:06:43 PM
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This was D-Day, the invasion of Normandy. The bravery of those that hit those beaches and scaled those cliffs under tremendously deadly fire was something we can not imagine today. I've been fortunate to have served with someone from that invasion and his telling of those battles were scary as well as uplifting. We won because we allies kept coming, and coming, and coming.
I've heard that the opening scenes of "Saving Private Ryan" are some of the most realistic in capturing what it was really like.
It won't be long before all those warriors have loudly responded, "HERE!" at their last roll call.
Dee
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Salute!
T
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Amen Dee. I can think of no braver moment or greater courage.
SPR is one of the best movies ever made
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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
(http://i1120.photobucket.com/albums/l494/edsigman/NormandyBeach.jpg) (http://s1120.photobucket.com/user/edsigman/media/NormandyBeach.jpg.html)
American Cemetery with all the men who gave their lives for France's unappreciated freedom
(http://i1120.photobucket.com/albums/l494/edsigman/UScemetaryNormandy.jpg) (http://s1120.photobucket.com/user/edsigman/media/UScemetaryNormandy.jpg.html)
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.
(http://i1120.photobucket.com/albums/l494/edsigman/PointduHoc.jpg) (http://s1120.photobucket.com/user/edsigman/media/PointduHoc.jpg.html)
With kind regards, and I agree that this was the greatest generation ever. My Dad always was my hero.
Ed
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Great story Ed
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Ed, I think it's a requirement that a certain percentage of flag officers become gildinged when they put on that star. I think the percentage requirement has increased in the past decade or so until it's nearly 100%. Dee
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Last year my wife and I went to Normandy as part of a river cruise from Paris. As a veteran I was asked to participate with several other veterans in our tour group in a ceremony honoring those who died in Normandy. When Taps was played, there wasn't a dry eye in the group. I felt very honored to have participated.
Art
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I had an uncle in the Army who landed in Normandy on D Day and fought on the ground all the way to Berlin. It was a miracle that he was never seriously injured. He had a German Luger with the big holster and belt and German officers hat that he brought back from the war and would talk to me mostly about nearly freezing and starving to death while he would be cleaning it.
My Dad fought in the South Pacific on the battleship USS Nevada and was a gunners mate who dialed in the targets on those big 14 inch guns. One of the gentlemen in the first assisted living facility he was in was a Marine on the ground at Iwo Jima who radioed coordinates that Dad would use to aim the big guns.
Dad turned 94 on Monday June 3rd and I took cake and ice cream out to the VA nursing home for all those old WW-II vets in the wing he is living in. These men and some women are in various stages of dementia and disability but there just seems to be an aura or something about them that makes them seem special and makes you want to hear their stories.
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I had an uncle in the Army who landed in Normandy on D Day and fought on the ground all the way to Berlin. It was a miracle that he was never seriously injured. He had a German Luger with the big holster and belt and German officers hat that he brought back from the war and would talk to me mostly about nearly freezing and starving to death while he would be cleaning it.
My Dad fought in the South Pacific on the battleship USS Nevada and was a gunners mate who dialed in the targets on those big 14 inch guns. One of the gentlemen in the first assisted living facility he was in was a Marine on the ground at Iwo Jima who radioed coordinates that Dad would use to aim the big guns.
Dad turned 94 on Monday June 3rd and I took cake and ice cream out to the VA nursing home for all those old WW-II vets in the wing he is living in. These men and some women are in various stages of dementia and disability but there just seems to be an aura or something about them that makes them seem special and makes you want to hear their stories.
Indeed TP. They are very special. All humanity owes them a debt of gratitude.
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Thank you Dee, for the reminder. Thank you, Ed and Ken for your stories. Even with the very best films, it is impossible for me to imagine what these soldiers experienced. And they persevered. I am grateful for this and always have a catch in my throat when the National Anthem is played.
D
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I showed some old footage tonight to my 8 year old son from D Day. Nothing remotely graphic. But I wanted him to know that freedom is never free. I want him to carry on my patriotic legacy, as I am well known for my love of country and liberty.
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Thank you for posting this Dee.
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I showed some old footage tonight to my 8 year old son from D Day. Nothing remotely graphic. But I wanted him to know that freedom is never free. I want him to carry on my patriotic legacy, as I am well known for my love of country and liberty.
Well done Pappy.
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I showed some old footage tonight to my 8 year old son from D Day. Nothing remotely graphic. But I wanted him to know that freedom is never free. I want him to carry on my patriotic legacy, as I am well known for my love of country and liberty.
Good on you, Pappy! That's how it has to work.