Some were barely 18 years old.  Many never fired a rifle, or, harmed anyone.  All were eager to start a life, be married, raise children....return to their parents, farms, jobs, girlfriends, and just-born babies. 

The order was given.  They hit the beaches, and thousands of young men were ruthlessly butchered where they stood, but they kept on coming, and fighting, and eventually prevailed, leading to the liberation of Europe.

We owe them all our prayers and our humble tears of gratitude.  Too many never returned to enjoy the life that we enjoy.

 


Frank

They were brave souls, knowing about the terror that happened on the beaches of Normandy, I don't know what I would do, probably freeze up. Those Germans mowed down many with those machine guns. We owe them a lot. Thank You Brave Soldiers.

we remember.

Well said.

D-Day actually began with airborne drops. My old unit was originally a glider battalion.

Yes very well said..

Luise-

Your family history was just one of millions of heart-breaking stories.  How frightening it must be to know that you might be killed at anytime, or, worse.  Yet, in spite of the unimaginable suffering and despair, members of your family managed to triumph.

The warnings in your last paragraph go unheeded by far, too many.  Sadly, we now face enemies that are every bit as ruthless and inhuman as the degenerate Nazis/Facists of WWII.  The names have changed, but the goals are the same, i.e. to kill anyone who does not follow their beliefs.  How quickly the horrors of WWII are forgotten.  Seventy years later, those same enemies who are guilty of mass murder and crimes against humanity, are released...so that they can terrorized and murder, yet again.  How despicable!

Thank you for adding your story. 

May God bless us all, especially those who protect and serve our country.


Frank

My Uncle, Bruce Pearl was in the first wave to hit Omaha Beach. Made it without being injured physically. He was terribly wounded that October in Aachen, Germany as he was exiting a foxhole for an assault. He was out of the war and returned to North Carolina to raise a family. He was as many of the other heroes, a very gentle and humble man. I always looked up to him.

you know guys, these people were really amazing.  they went out n defeated the world's best n  most experienced army with very little training., thru force of will.

i can't help but contrast that with those mideasterners we have trained for years who lose to numerically inferior untrained jihadists. despite having better equipment, they can't wait to surrender.

gotta be proud of our men.