The Longest Day

MJG

Hi Guys,

In our household, we don’t fly our Flag everyday, only on special occasions, It flies today to honor The Longest Day.

As you all remember, June 6, 1944 was D-Day, the date that Operation Overlord, the invasion of the Normandy beaches, was implemented after a weather delay.

Our family lost my Uncle Mike a few days later. He was not among the American troops who initially stormed the Omaha and Utah beaches, but joined the battle as an infantry replacement during the engagements that forced the breakout into the Normandy peninsula. I still picture him in his tan khaki uniform before his departure.

It is hard to imagine the courage, tenacity, and resiliency our troopers demonstrated in the initial hours of the battle, especially at Omaha beach. Indeed it was a frantic time, with the success of the mission uncertain and our brave soldiers just barely surviving. History hung in the balance.

My wife and I have visited the Normandy military gravesites several times, and tears of appreciation always flow in our eyes. The simple headpieces register their name, rank, death date, and State. We humbly thank those who sacrificed their young lives on that historic day, and their few surviving band of brothers today.

We celebrate their grand accomplishments by watching both the docudrama “The Longest Day” and “Saving Private Ryan” each year. Both these films capture the desperation and the scope of the events. It is a record of our Nation’s resolve which was firmly grounded by our predecessors. We are blessed with a loyal long grey line. Let’s continue that faith and let us never forget those who made it happen.

I recommend you consider viewing these fine films.

Best Regards.

MaxBialystock

Those films are well done. I like to watch them both, over and over... I saw very little today online about the anniversary of the D-Day invasion of Normandy to defeat the Nazis. Thank you for this. War sucks in every conceivable way. But as a last resort, our fight in WW II freed the world from some serious oppression, some real horror. I am reminded of General Eisenhower's words: "We may never see their like again." The Greatest Generation. Here's a picture: the American Cemetery in Normandy.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4CIraZY_z7U/S_Iv4m3zZqI/AAAAAAAAAH8/tTktX6NLgsA/s1600/P5170037.JPG

hank

A topic that touches many deeply. Succinct and very nicely put. Thanks MJG.

Sven

Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks produced an excellent series of "Band of Brothers" that depicting the WWII on the European front. One can watch it online for free.
watchseries.lt/serie/band_of_brothers

MaxBialystock

Thanks, Sven.