This time 60 years ago...

[Bodhi]

I believe there were many thousands of brave souls from many allied countries wading ashore unto a hostile parcel of France... their sacrifice and their courage helped ensure a free Europe...

to you all brave souls.

[DiabloTX]

[Hajo]

A quote from Colin Powell.

I can't remember the exact words.....but in seeing the picture posted in the above post reminds me of it.

The United States never asked for much after or during a war from a Foreign Country.  The only thing we asked for, was enough land to bury our dead.

Fortunately for me....My Father is a member of our greatest generation.  Born and raised during a Depression and Tempered in Battle throughout the World in their lifetimes.  He's an 82 year old decorated Veteran of WW2....landed in North Africa, Sicily, and Anzio.  I'm proud as hell of him....don't know if I could do what he did.  He was awarded the Bronze Star and also the Combat Medal.  To be awarded a Combat Medal one had to spend 1200 straight hours on the Front Lines....most spent more then that at one time. (He still plays 27 holes of Golf a week too!)

I sometimes think....is there another generation that could go through what they experienced and do as well? Depression?  World War?  They were Youngsters when they were thrust into battle and the majority of them never left a radius of over 40 miles of their homes!  They Volunteered in droves to fight WWII.  They didn't slink into other Countries to avoid Sevice....They stood on line for hours to sign up instead of being drafted!  Felt it was their Duty!

I do hope no Generation has to suffer through what they did.

But they're our Greatest Generation because they didn't feel that they suffered.......just that they did their duty.

[flakbait]

SUPREME HEADQUATERS
ALLIED EXPEDITIONARY FORCES
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.
Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is
well trained, well equipped and battle-hardened.
He will fight savagely.
But this is the year I944 ! Much has happened since the
Nazi triumphs of I940-41. The United Nations have in-
flicted upon the Germans great defeats, in open battle,
man-to-man. Our air offensive has seriously reduced
their strength in the air and their capacity to wage
overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions of
war, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained
fighting men. The tide has turned ! The free men of
the world are marching together to Victory !
I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to
duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less
than full Victory !
Good Luck ! And let us beseech the blessing of Almighty
God upon this great and noble undertaking.

[signed]
Dwight D Eisenhower

[Bodhi]

Hard to believe that the fighting was just dying down on Omaha a little before this post.

[Toad]

WE ARE DETERMINED THAT BEFORE THE SUN SETS ON THIS TERRIBLE STRUGGLE OUR FLAG WILL BE RECOGNIZED THROUGHOUT THE WORLD AS A SYMBOL OF FREEDOM ON THE ONE HAND AND OF OVERWHELMING FORCE ON THE OTHER.

General George C. Marshall

THEY FOUGHT TOGETHER AS BROTHERS-IN-ARMS.
THEY DIED TOGETHER AND NOW THEY SLEEP SIDE BY SIDE.
TO THEM WE HAVE A SOLEMN OBLIGATION.

Admiral Chester W. Nimitz

the Vets.

[Nefarious]

Hard to beleive when my Grandfather was my age, he was liberating Paris.

[Stratocaster]

<<>> TO ALL THE BRAVE MEN WHO FOUGHT JUNE 6th 1944...
WE SALUTE YOUR BRAVENESS

[DREDIOCK]

In responce to the graves couple quotes come to mind

"All gave some. Some gave all"

"They gave away all their tomorrows for your today"

[xrtoronto]