1 The greatest humans ever. 

2 The British spelling

3 One of my uncles flew 82 nd. Airborne into Normandy in gliders. He is a tough old bird, and still kikkin'.

4 ...has been removed.

5 Heeeey guys, it's an operatoin!

6 I saw something yesterday that there are about 1.6 million of the 16 million WWII vets left and we are losing them at faster and faster rates.

Well, that's just working out well for Obamacare, isn't it.....That's what it needs to be successful.  Old people to die.

7 I forgot to mention, he took an MG 42 round through his foot in Market Garden.

8 While many have left us in the decades that followed, so many never got the chance to reap the rewards they gave all to secure. They did not grow old, they will forever be the boys who gave their future so that we may have ours.


Very well put Drew.  Brought tears to my eyes.

9 Obama released a statement yet?

10
January 20, 2009

That's the day our country will live in infirmary.

11

My father served in WWII.  He went in at 18 (had me when he was "old" -- 37).  He was supposed to be at D-Day, but broke his arm on the last liberty before shipping out.  Went in as a replacement soldier 8 weeks later instead.  He was bereft that his unit was shipping out without him, furious that he broke his arm.

No one from his unit made it past the beach.

12
January 20, 2013

We shall call it L-Day.

It might be the day we liberate ourselves from the tyranny of Obama.

13 I remember sitting in Jack Kennedy's office watching this on the Helmet Cam

Good times, good times ...

14 Hey... whattaya tryin to pull here?  We all know everything was in black and white in 1944!

15 Thanks.  My ex grandfather in law was on general staff in England, he was USMA '27.  He gave me his Patton belt!  I was the only relative that had any clue how important it was.

16
/testing new name

17 Yes the last of the US vets from WWI died a few weeks ago. Hell, even the "Nam vets are getting old now. I was at the tail end of that and I am now in my 60s.

18 Hey, my grandfather's brother was there before he went to liberate Auschwitz.  I'll happily postpone my golf game to pick up my Congressional Medal of Honor any time they want the ceremony.

But not on Wednesday nights. Or weekends

19 Posted by: Biblio at June 06, 2011 11:45 AM (y5VNb)

Thanks for sharing.

20 HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Sarah Palin thinks that the Allies landed on Normandy and other points in order to establish an entry for land troops to enter to fight the Germans on the European continent.

Boy, is she stupid or what??

21 Let me tell you, I cannot imagine riding onto a hot beach in a Higgins boat, with machine guns every 100 yards and pre zeroed artillary chewing up the ground. It must have been almost beyond human endurance to storm that beach. Superhuman, even. The greatest generation, born of the depression. Tough is the word.

22 With great reverence and respect to all who participated  ... Bravo Zulu!

23 I guess I had never paid much attention to the big-picture numbers before, but I was watching a show on TV yesterday which stated the Allies had put 150,000 troops and 50,000 vehicles ashore by the end of the first day. Is that accurate? That's just astonishing. (And Operation Husky was I believe even somewhat larger!).

24 Greatest armada ever assembled. They even had to bring their own floating shipping port, to serve until a proper port was wrested from the enemy.

25 RR was so damned stupid he didn't need teleprompters.  What a maroon.

26

Not a grandparent in my case- my Dad was USMC '43-'45 (Pacific Theatre)

I guess that qualifies me as a geezer. 

27 (And Operation Husky was I believe even somewhat larger!). Posted by: Waterhouse at June 06, 2011 11:50 AM (wKH+l) Husky? The Invasion od Sicily? It was NOT larger

28
Obama will compare the Palestinian-Hamas-Terror floatilla to D-day.

29 Not a grandparent in my case- my Dad was USMC '43-'45 (Pacific Theatre) I guess that qualifies me as a geezer. Posted by: Bat Chain Puller at June 06, 2011 11:53 AM (SCcgT) Where was your Dad. Mine was on Iwo Jima

30 Scott Johnson at the Powerline blog has a link to SLA Marshall's essay "First wave at Omaha Beach"  (November 1960), originally published by the  Atlantic Monthly..  Marshall was the US Army's official WWII combat historian.

LINK

Thanks for the thread, Drew

31 June 6, 1944 Operation Overlord 67 years ago. Um, 64 years ago, smarty-pants. I mean it's still ancient, pre-Teleprompter history.

32 Obama will compare the Palestinian-Hamas-Terror floatilla to D-day. Posted by: This comment just killed 0.000001 Polar Bears at June 06, 2011 11:54 AM (G/zuv) More likely his Kinetic Action in Libya?

33 G-d bless all who served and all who gave their lives. We need their courage, honor and strength now more than ever.

34 Imagine the stress on Ike. Responsible for sending thousands of men into certain, guaranteed death. Not a responsibility many men would want to carry around.

35 Not to take away from D-day proper, but on June 6, 1942, the Battle of Midway was still raging.  By the end of this day in 1942, 4 Japanese carriers and the cruiser Mikuma were sunk by US Navy dive bombers.  This delivered a mighty blow to the Imperial Navy, one from which they never recovered. 

36 HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA Sarah Palin thinks that the Allies landed on Normandy Man! We were fighting Germany, not France. How stupid is she?

37 Thanks for the reminder Kratos ...

38 ...were sunk by US Navy dive bombers.

They must have been racist dive bombers.

39 My dad walked from France to Germany.  There for the bombing of Berlin, the surrender, the freeing concentration camps, etc.  I treasure the fact that I asked lots and lots of questions about it.  He didn't always tell the brutal truth, but enough that I knew what he had done, and it was amazing, because he was "just" my dad.

40

And at any given stoploght, I look to the car next to me and see a 19-year-old kid thumping his subwoofer, striking his driver's pose so as to highlight his tats and earrings.

Maybe I'm just getting old, but it really bothers me that 19-year-old kids died on those beaches to secure a future that today's kids just piss away.

41 The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats I never noticed that before. 'United Nations' used to be a good thing, I guess.

42
Thank you father for your service in the Pacific during WWII as a Naval pilot. Also a well deserved thanks to all the men who served during this era, and a special fuck you to liberals who demean these brave souls without realizing their mothers and sisters would have been forced to fuck Japs and Germans if we hadn't prevailed, and they would be speaking another language. 

43 Husky? The Invasion od Sicily? It was NOT larger

I guess it depends on the metrics used. Wiki sez:

This constituted the largest amphibious operation of World War II on terms of size of the landing zone and number of divisions put ashore on the first day.

... which was what my post was referencing.

44 My late Father was in the Navy during WWII, served in the pacific. I had to really prod him to get him to talk about it; those guys just did what was required. Amazing.

45 Tough is the word.

Posted by: maddogg at June 06, 2011 11:50 AM (OlN4e)

Indeed - tough as nails.  And it's a damn good thing they were.  Allied tactics were somewhat more... casualty intensive... in those days. 

While I'm glad our side carried the day, I'm sickened that we didn't follow Churchill's plan to strike through the "soft underbelly" of the Balkans.  Not only because it would have been an easier beach head, but also because it would have cut off the Soviets from uncontested occupation of Eastern Europe. 

The two good things about WW2 were that the Soviets were bled heavily, and that the US emerged with the Bomb.  And it's good that those two things did happen, because the jackasses running the show at the time practically gave everything away to the Soviets.

46 Go To the National World War Two Museum site for more. It is NOLA. Get some history, do some Bourbon St. partying. their website is nationalww2museum.org

47

Midway ranks with Tsushima and Trafalgar as the most decisive modern naval engagements.

Omaha Beach is a testament to the American soldier.  It was a very close run thing.  Saving the world from a dark age required extraordinary courage from ordinary people.  I stand in awe of that generation whenever I think about them.

48 Maybe it's because I wasn't at Gettysburg, and I did see Ike once, but I count that among the greatest speeches ever given.  The account of the night before is moving, too: the new weather forecast came in, and the staff waited as Ike stood silently at the window (looking into driving rain) and smoked one entire cigarette. Then he turned. "Okay. Let's go."

Like to find what brand he smoked, and buy O'Bama a carton.

I never met a Caesar, or Charlemagne or Napoleon. But I saw Ike once. He waved. As the conquerors of Europe go, he's kind of my favorite.

49 Obama released a statement yet? Yes, I will be playing Titleist 3's today.

50 35 Not to take away from D-day proper, but on June 6, 1942, the Battle of Midway was still raging.  By the end of this day in 1942, 4 Japanese carriers and the cruiser Mikuma were sunk by US Navy dive bombers.  This delivered a mighty blow to the Imperial Navy, one from which they never recovered. 
Posted by: Kratos (Ghost of Sparta) at June 06, 2011 11:56 AM

Big deal, I caught and killed Bin Laden

51 Yeah, well that happened a long time ago so it isn't really relevant.

52

The allies biggest asset was Hitler's distrust of his own commanders

Between convincing the axis we were  landing at Calais

and Hitler's refusal to release armor divisions until too late, the allies succeded

As it was the losses at omha were horrendous.

If the german armor had reacted immediatly it could have been much worse.

Bless the souls of our honored dead.

53

[Posted by: Bat Chain Puller at June 06, 2011 11:53 AM (SCcgT)

Where was your Dad. Mine was on Iwo Jima]

Dad never saw any front-line action (or never mentioned any). He was mainly support/logistics, a lot of time in supply planes.

His last 4 months were in Japan after the surrender.

 

54

The veterans I knew chose not to talk about their experience in great detail, as it so brutal that words could not express what actually happened.  Lived next door to a WWII vet who went ashore in Anzio (sp?) and fought his way through Italy.  That was about the most us kids could get out of him.  G-d bless them all. 

55 @42, Navy does not have any pilots. They call them something else.

56 DVR'd The Longest Day on Memorial Day, still one of my favorite movies ...

57 I glad my kids have had a chance to get to know their relatives (great-grandfather, 2 great uncles) who fought in WW2 - and at an age at which they at least understand what went on.

58 Also a well deserved thanks to all the men who served during this era, and a special fuck you to liberals who demean these brave souls without realizing their mothers and sisters would have been forced to fuck Japs and Germans if we hadn't prevailed, and they would be speaking another language. 

Posted by: Fish the Impaler at June 06, 2011 12:02 PM (cwFVA)

I agree with your sentiment, but I suggest that it would really only have been Europeans and Asians fucking Krauts and Japs and speaking their languages.  North America would have been unassailable, and I suspect the partisan wars in Russia and China would have drug on interminably.

59  My Father is  a D-Day veteran, born on april 10th 1925.He was drafted right out of high school near Mceesport Pa. A year later he landed in the early hours of June 6th, 1944 on the French shore. Barely 19 years old, with only those on his left and his right he crawled up  the beach of Ste Mer Eglise- Utah Beach.  1st Army, 7th corps,1st Ampibious Brigade, 531st Engineer Ampibious Shore Regiment. It was only the first day of many, many others that very well could have been his last. He never talked to me as a child about it, only saying that we  lost many good fellow soldiers in the war to end all wars. I called him this morning to say "Thank  you dad! Thank you for your service!"  Blessed are they who gave thier last measure of service to protect and defend the United States of America on this day 67 years ago in a far away land through stormy seas.  Many are now gone but not forgotten. Thank you.

60

When I think about those young men/boys approaching the beach. The terror of what awaits. Jumping off the landing boat into bullets...weighted down and sinking to the bottom if the boat is too far from land...

Bleeding out in the surf, so far from home. So damn awful. 

61
Navy does not have any pilots. They call them something else.

Posted by: comatus at June 06, 2011 12:09 PM (W5ilH)

The correct term is Naval Aviator's, and my father graduated in 1936.

He became a pilot flying for UAL.

62 Posted by: comatus
......
I never met Napolean
But I plan to find the time

63 And how ironic it is that the progeny of that greatest generation are the ones pissing the country away. 

64

My Dad landed at Omaha Beach after the initial assault, so he had it easy there. He was with Patton's Ghost Troops, and his outfit liberated the camp known as Ebensee in Austria. He had immigrated to America from Italy at the age of 11, became a US citizen, and was drafted into the army at 18.

He will turn 86 in August, God willing.

65 #40 I so agree. All this talk about swag ... athletes comparing themselves to warriors ... falso bravado. They are clueless ...

66

North America would have been unassailable

That is simply not true.

67 Go To the National World War Two Museum site for more. And Normandy itself is a fantastic, contemplative trip. Man, there is something powerful and quiet in the air. You will be filled wih reverence and awe walking the beaches and cliffs (down to Pointe du Hoc). (And, by the way, the area is beautiful, and you're so very far from Paris that the locals are the nicest people)

68 I never met Napolean
But I plan to find the time

Posted by: Chi-Town Jerry at June 06, 2011 12:11 PM (f9c2L)

We'd like to have a word with you.

69 Anyone but me, that hated "Saving Private Ryan" after the D-Day scenes? It just didn't ring with the same truth.

I give Hanks (litard that he is) credit for "Band of Brothers".

70 At a Memorial Day cook-out I met a man who went ashore on D+12. When I tried to prompt him for a story or two he instead talked about going on leave in Alabama with a few buddies. A bit later he said we owe our respect to those didn't make it home.

71 In a sane world, students in public schools all across the country would be studying this today and looking at that awesome pic gallery in Life.

Instead they're learning early American settlers took land from the brown people and that Timmy has Two, Count Em, Two Mommies!!

Wonderful. 

72 Instead they're learning early American settlers took land from the brown people and that Timmy has Two, Count Em, Two Mommies!!

Wonderful. 

Posted by: laceyunderalls at June 06, 2011 12:17 PM (pLTLS)

It's "Heather Has Two Mommies"

73 69 Anyone but me, that hated "Saving Private Ryan" after the D-Day scenes? It just didn't ring with the same truth.

Posted by: The Robot Devil at June 06, 2011 12:15 PM

MATT DAMON!!!

74 And how ironic it is that the progeny of that greatest generation are the ones pissing the country away. 

Posted by: TheSev at June 06, 2011 12:13 PM (eIXPw)

Although, I think it was PJ O'Rourke who noted that most of the Great Society programs etc. came about via Greatest Generation voters, who by nature of their service had a different government-citizen relationship than other Americans. They benefited from the GI Bill were pretty supported of government programs.

Their progeny were too young and has less influence when it came to government growth.

75 Instead they're learning early American settlers took land from the brown people and that Timmy has Two, Count Em, Two Mommies!!

Also, that 2+2= something between zero and five hundred and it's only important that you tried to give the right answer.

76 Now we are like the Germans policing the French in Afghanistan. 

77 Anyone here still using Google as your search engine?



WHY?

78 73 69 Anyone but me, that hated "Saving Private Ryan" after the D-Day scenes? It just didn't ring with the same truth.

Posted by: The Robot Devil at June 06, 2011 12:15 PM

MATT DAMON!!!

Posted by: MATT DAMON!! at June 06, 2011 12:17 PM (vdfwz)

ah, yes. That is what bugs me about the ending.

79 My father was in north Africa and then Italy - a gunner in a tank.

His generation, generally didn't talk about it a lot.  Sometimes after a few beers (and prodding from his 4 sons) he would open up a bit and tell us stories.

I have some few pictures he took in Italy and souvenirs - the coolest being a German pony-fur back pack (I think it's called a "tornister").  Unfortunately, the Luger he brought back got grabbed by someone else after he died.

It boggles the mind how these guys were gone for several years. emptying the country of a whole generation of young men.

80

Anyone but me, that hated "Saving Private Ryan" after the D-Day scenes? It just didn't ring with the same truth.

I give Hanks (litard that he is) credit for "Band of Brothers".

Really?

That was the only "good" part of the movie.

The moral relativism is what ruined it, not the fighting scenes.

Also I read when it came out that a ton of verterans who were there said it was the most accurate depiction of the events in a movie.

 

81

sudden urge to watch Band of Brothers again

anyone know if its running on cable tonight?

82 63 And how ironic it is that the progeny of that greatest generation are the ones pissing the country away. 

Posted by: TheSev at June 06, 2011 12:13 PM (eIXPw)

Wrong!

It's their grandchildren pissing it away. Public school brats with no knowledge of war.

83 This constituted the largest amphibious operation of World War II on terms of size of the landing zone and number of divisions put ashore on the first day. ... which was what my post was referencing. Posted by: Waterhouse at June 06, 2011 12:02 PM (wKH+l) 1) Yes the landing "Zone" was large since the British landed on one side of the Island ( the east side) and the Americans on the South Side. As to the # of division? Not sure about that, and anyway I would assume they were undersize divisions and essentially landed unopposed, so they "may" even have moved more "division" on shore in the first day? But I am sure "Overlord" was much much bigger if you include the first 72 hours as a metric

84

Now we are like the Germans policing the French in Afghanistan. 

Exactly...because the French burned down the reichsteig, invaded germany, flew planes into bulidings in germany........wait, no, no our involvement in Afghanistan is nothing like that of Germany in France.

85

sudden urge to watch Band of Brothers again

anyone know if its running on cable tonight?

shit, i hope so now that you've got my mind on it.

86

That was the only "good" part of the movie. The moral relativism is what ruined it, not the fighting scenes. Also I read when it came out that a ton of verterans who were there said it was the most accurate depiction of the events in a movie.

Posted by: Ben at June 06, 2011 12:19 PM (wuv1c)

Maybe I stated it wrong. The D-Day parts seemed true, it was afterwards with all the dithering around that I can't stand...

87

Thank God for the nukes which enabled us to avoid a 2nd even worse D Day on the Island of Honshu.

We are fast approaching a day when using nukes again may be the only way to avoid losing millions of American lives (think Tehran, Pyongyang, etc.).

Good thing our President's on the job!  At least when he's not golfing or shooting hoops or making snarky comments about tax cuts for the rich, etc.

88 God bless the men who died that day, and the ones who lived to fight on.

89 It's their grandchildren pissing it away. Public school brats with no knowledge of war. Posted by: Kemp at June 06, 2011 12:21 PM (JpFM9) Yeah but it's their children ( children of the WW2 Generation) like me, who forgot the courage of their Fathers and why we fought. And then failed to pass their Grandfathers values on to their children. Of course not me those here, but the weinie liberals

90

Maybe I stated it wrong. The D-Day parts seemed true, it was afterwards with all the dithering around that I can't stand...

oh, yeah, then we're in total agreement.

The best parts of the movie were essentially the fighting.

What I don't understand is that in a war in which some millions of americans fought, hollywood couldn't find one true story and tell it. They had to make something up.

Really?  There wasn't one soldier or unit that had an interesting story that could be made into a movie?

I think BoB proved it can be done.

91 sudden urge to watch Band of Brothers again anyone know if its running on cable tonight? Posted by: glowing blue meat at June 06, 2011 12:21 PM (K/USr) Since the Libs basically control TV/Networks, I would not hold my breath

92 Anyone here still using Google as your search engine? Did they stop doing the doodles, or is it just for special occasions like today? I did search for 'fuck google d-day' and it mentioned that they celebrated Tetris on the 65th anniv of D-Day. So, today is an improvement.

93

anyone know if its running on cable tonight?

Posted by: glowing blue meat
..............

Band of Brothers is running on On-Demand on Comcast if you have HBO only.

Unfortunately, Netflix only has it on DVD's (two episodes per DVD), not streaming.

94 Amazing what the US military can do when they have leaders in charge!

My Dad  had an exempted Civil Service job, volunteered anyway for the USN (due to previous service in the merchant marine, shipyard  refit experience, and training in Naval Architecture).  He served in a naval support capacity all over  the Pacific theater during most of the war. 
My uncle was in the Merchants on the Murmansk run and made it through the war as well.
They have both long since passed, but I still admire and revere them, their generation, and their service to this country.  We owe such a debt to these men.

95 Well the "Military Channel" is at least running stuff on D- Day

96
The Greatest Generation

You know, I hate the moniker. Not that they didn't do amazing things, famous things, fabulous things.

But they also gave us the Baby Boomers and did a piss poor job of raising them. Which trickles down the generational tree. Oh, well, DOOM will sort that out in short order.

Also: that was Ike's speech? at least  it was short. Give me Patton's any day and twice on Sunday.

97

Now that I have made my respectful comment in honor of the deserving men who stormed ashore on Omaha Beach...

*silently seething*

This is why I will never have sympathy for the French, even as they're falling under the swords of Islamism.

From the link to Zombie at the PJ Tatler:

Tell me: How could the French government countenance this art installation, which manages to be both juvenile and deeply insulting at the same time? :

Exhibit marks 67th anniversary of D-Day landings

An installation of 1,000 casts of Russian, German and American combat helmets of WWII which also represent turtles, to denounce global violence, created by French artist Rachid Khimoune, is seen on Omaha Beach in Colleville sur Mer, western France, Sunday, June 5, 2011 at the eve of the D-Day Anniversary...

98 One of my uncles flew 82 nd. Airborne into Normandy in gliders.

My dad, God rest his soul, was in one of those planes. He wasn't a kid-- he turned 32 two months after D-Day. He died suddenly of a heart attack when I was 15 (the coroner thought it was probably delayed battle stress as he had never been sick)-- I still miss him so much. He took me to see The Longest Day when it first came out, and we were able to talk about his experiences of D-Day. Like most vets, he was very modest about his part in the operation. I just wish he were still here . . . .

On a less somber note-- Ace may be interested to know that Paul Anka had a cameo role in The Longest Day as a U.S. Army Ranger.

99
Did they stop doing the doodles, or is it just for special occasions like today? I did search for 'fuck google d-day' and it mentioned that they celebrated Tetris on the 65th anniv of D-Day. So, today is an improvement.

Posted by: t-bird at June 06, 2011 12:25 PM (FcR7P)

Well, let's see. Yesterday they celebrated this:

Happy 92nd Birthday to 'Busytown' creator Richard Scarry!
and today, nothing. Fuck. Google.

100 Ace may be interested to know that Paul Anka had a cameo role in The Longest Day as a U.S. Army Ranger. Posted by: PA Cat at June 06, 2011 12:27 PM (ZTVwW) A lot of big Hollywood types wanted to be in that movie, even if just a cameo role. How things have changed ha?

101 92 Anyone here still using Google as your search engine?

Didn't you read the news wingnut? Every time you google a cat kills a polar bear

102 40 Maybe I'm just getting old, but it really bothers me that 19-year-old kids died on those beaches to secure a future that today's kids just piss away. Not all kids. All 5 of my sons (4 Marines & 1 soldier) have served (2 in Iraq, 1 in Afghanistan) be cause they felt it was their duty to preserve the future. And many of their friends have done the same. So there is hope.

103

Normandy is sacred ground--it was very affecting to visit and the residents are friendly, unlike say the Muslims in Marseilles. 

I wonder if Obama plans to mobilize his WTF Armies with the same level of skill and competence that Eisenhower employed when he launched Operation Overlord. 

All I know is if I see a landing craft full of Obamatards arriving in my neighborhood, I intend to dispatch them with the ruthlessness of an Axis machine gun nest. 

104 My dad fought in the jungles of the Philipines in WWII.  Had a lot of friends who fought mostly in the Pacific theater.  Had a salesman take me back into the back of the store to tell me about his experience in the Bataan death march.  I learned very early in my life what it took to win that war.

105 May these brave souls find their rest and reward in good company.

106

It's the nature of life and time but as someone born in 1969 when everyone's grandfather was a vet, it's hard to believe there are relatively so few left.

I was born in 1969, but somehow neither of my grandfathers were vets.  During WWII, one worked in a munitions factory and the other was teaching college physics to future naval aviators.

They were born in 1910 and 1903 respectively, so I guess they weren't exactly the springiest of chickens.

107 Posted by: Soona at June 06, 2011 12:35 PM (Sz/Vx)

As a kid, one of the neighbors had survived the Bataan death march.  He was universally respected in our neighborhood, because nearly all citizens were involved in a global life and death struggle and knew what he had done for us.

I will never get to Normandy, but I was fortunate enough to visit the Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor.  There is something in the very air about old battlefields like this--I felt instinctively that this was a very special place.

108 They should be called the Government Generation.  They voted in the people who would destroy our own people through handouts.

109 I've been watching a documentary on Netflix called "WWII in HD".  It consists almost primarily of actual footage, a lot of it in color, restored and rendered in high-definition.   It follows the story of several different people (soldiers, nurses, reporters), interspersed by interviews with the few remaining survivors.

Using all real footage makes this somehow extremely more visceral.  Plus, it contains a lot of history of which I was not aware.  I highly recommend it...

110 I am a high school teacher and although I teach science & math, I do my best to see that the yoots of today are exposed to the sacrifices that were made by generations before.  My (very few) extra credit assignments concern the anniversaries of significant points in US history, such as D-Day.  I have a few students who desire to join the military and I do counsel them as to what to expect (I am a combat vet, 1st gulf war) and how to get the most out of their service. 

Note that I was stationed at Ft. Bragg in '94 and met many veteran paratroopers from WW II.  To us "young paratroopers" (I was in my 30's) these guys were rock stars.  A common comment from these gentlemen was "well, I only had a couple of jumps, Normandy & Market Garden", something that put our 20+ jumps to shame.  Meeting & talking with these men was one of the greatest experiences of my life.

111 Gary Sinise does lots of voice-over on WWII documentaries now. I like it so much better than some snooty old professor-sounding guy. Like Edward Hermann. That guy's voice has worn out it's welcome.

112 The Greatest Generation grew up in the 60's, man. Luminaries all! Like Bill Ayers and his cool wife Bernadine. All those WWII geezers were evil clinging to their guns and bibles, man!

113 Band of Brothers is running on On-Demand on Comcast if you have HBO only.Posted by: Chi-Town Jerry at June 06, 2011 12:26 PM (f9c2L)

awesome, thanks.

114 My uncle was in the Merchants on the Murmansk run and made it through the war as well.

Sometimes it is the wife that tells the stories. Her husband had been in the merchant marines and although they weren't supposed to tell their wives when they were going out this couple had worked out a code. He'd call her and somewhere in the course of their conversation mention that he was going to go buy a newspaper when they hung up. She said that meant it was time for her to worry until she heard from him again.

She told the story as if it was no big deal and when I asked it she slept at all until she got that next phone call, she thought for a moment and said of course she worried but 'we all were facing it together, every one at home had somebody in danger.'

115 Comatus, #48:

Your comment reminded me of General Eisenhower's draft announcement to be given if the landings failed.  He threw it away, of course, but someone found it and preserved it.  I've always found it moving.  Note the strikethrough and the correction.

Our landings in the Cherbourg-Havre area have failed to gain a satisfactory foothold and the troops have been withdrawn I have withdrawn the troops.  My decision to attack at this time and place was based upon the best information available.  Our troops, the air and the Navy did all that bravery and devotion to duty could do.  If any blame or fault attaches to the attempt it is mine alone.

116 what does this have to do with weiner?

117

My father, Cpl. James M. Sharp, landed 3 days after D Day.  Was a Forward Artillery Observer in the 29th Division.  Fought through Europe, and was wounded with a round through his wrist into his leg in one incident riding in a jeep and by a shrapnel piece in his shoulder in the other.  Took the shrapnel to the grave with him on November 12, 1994. 

Never talked about it much, except to say that he had fought almost to Germany and then got wounded for the second time in the back lines on R & R when a round came near the tent.  He thought it was kind of ironic. 

Love and miss him very much. 

118 All my friends have turned on me!  Therefore, I now know what it felt to be a soldier storming the beaches at Normandy on D Day...

119 To my father, still alive at 91, a pre-WWII, WWII, Korean War and Vietnam War veteran.

110th Mountain Signal Company, 10th Mountain Division, -- Italy 1945

only a few remain

120 #119 ... wow. Just wow.

121 ...so many never got the chance to reap the rewards they gave all to secure. They did not grow old, they will forever be the boys who gave their future so that we may have ours.

"They gave all their tomorrows...."

I feel this awful wrenching inside whenever I hear this said in reference to AF personnel KIA.

122 Maddogg, you tell your glider-rider uncle from the Eighty-Deuce (325th GIR assuming he was infantry, right?) that a later-generation vet out of the 101st's "Five-Oh-Deuce" sends his best regards.

"Hitler only forgot one thing when he built Fortress Europe. He didn't put a fucking roof on it."

123 My dad was with 89th chasing Patton across France and Germany. He waited until the 50th anniversary to tell us about walking through a fence and liberating Ordruf.
http://www.89infdivww2.org/ohrdruf/liberatephoto.htm

I miss my dad.

Ah-dun-barfed-on-muh-dinner-jacket is a lying, terrorist, murderer.

124 D-Day was a momentous day, but the Battle of Europe turned at Stalingrad in 1942.

Truth.

125 DrewM... Thank you for writing such an eloquent message about the WW2 vets Thank you for remembering

126

D-Day diary extract

Anyone interested in D-Day might like to read my Dad’s first hand account at this link link. This harrowing extract is taken from his memoirs. Dad fought throughout the whole war with the Green Howards, right from Dunkirk, and was in the first wave of troops to land on Gold Beach – those lads were so incredibly brave.

Regards

Paul

PS The item starts with an interesting engagement between Dad and US troops!