Operation Overlord was kicked off by Operation Neptune, with the Allies stormed the beaches in Normandy, in what became known as the D-Day landings…
June 6, 1944…
Five beaches, forever more known as Utah and Omaha (American), Gold (Brit), Juno (Canada), and Sword (Brit)
Omaha Beach then-
Omaha Beach now-
The American war cemetery, center, at Colleville sur Mer, overlooks Omaha Beach, it contains the remains of 9,387 American troops who died during the landings. WN 64 and WN 62 were German strong points that were manned that day. Over 1,000 American servicemen died on that one mile stretch of beach in the landings.
USA Today has a good selection of remembrances HERE.
Many are saying this will be the last major ‘celebration’ of D-Day where there will actually be veterans attending…
Take a minute and reflect on those who gave their lives for our freedom, they truly were the greatest generation…
The only place in France I’d like to visit.
They were willing to step up and be counted when it needed to be done. Their memory is their benediction.
+1 LL’s comment
Bravo Zulu.
PH- It IS worth it…
LL/Brighid- Concur
Les- Yep
I’m with ProudHillbilly; we never saw the west coast of France when I was serving in the Mediterranean. The Riviera wasn’t quite the same.
Such raw courage . . . they more than earned their rest . . .
I remember standing in that cemetery looking down and wondering how on earth those men took that beach.
I wonder what the rules of engagement were then? Other than ‘make the other poor, dumb bastard die for his country!’
Times have changed.
Remember them.
gfa
+1
This was an installation on the beaches of Normandy that featured 9,000 silhouettes of fallen soldiers, made with simple stencils and rakes.
http://www.thisiscolossal.com/2013/09/the-fallen-9000/
The Greatest Generation, indeed.
Rev- Yep.
Bill- That they did…
BP- You’re not the only one…
gfa/WSF- WIN, that was the ROE.
Mrs.C- Not quite… the basic sentiment was fine, but the words indicate it was done as an anti-war protest… Strangely they seem to forget without those giving their lives on that day, their world would be VERY different today. Just sayin…
Buck- Amen.
My Dad’s buddy Max was in “The Army’s Navy” and worked on the Mulberrys. He rode with the across the Channel and helped anchor them and then run supplies. He passed away last year.
We went to Omaha Beach Cemetery on the 25th Anniversary, I was eleven years old and will NEVER forget. Damn it’s a huge place, and there’s another cemetery around the corner…
I know, the anti-war stance was unfortunate. I just thought the visual was incredible. Sorry.
Lest We Forget
Thank-you for your service
NC- Thanks to him, and a neat story.
Mrs.C- IT was, the stance not so much…
Rick- Yep…