The Longest Day.... D-Day June 6th 1944

[TerryMiller]

Reddog,

Thanks for remembering. While my uncles served, they were in the Navy in the Pacific. Here are some photo links from years past.

Photos: The 65th Anniversary of D-Day

Photos: D-Day, June 6, 1944

 

[TedKennedy]

My BIL's dad was a medic on D-Day. A few years ago, as he was dealing with lung problems, a young nurse told him he should quit smoking. He told her he had been smoking since June 6, 1944. She said "how can you possibly remeber the day you started smoking over 50 years ago?"

He related the story of a young guy they were hauing off, seriously wounded. The kid was still concious, and gave him his opened pack of smokes, stating "I won't need them where I'm going".

 

[reddog1]

my bil's dad was a medic on d-day. A few years ago, as he was dealing with lung problems, a young nurse told him he should quit smoking. He told her he had been smoking since june 6, 1944. She said "how can you possibly remeber the day you started smoking over 50 years ago?"

he related the story of a young guy they were hauing off, seriously wounded. The kid was still concious, and gave him his opened pack of smokes, stating "i won't need them where i'm going".

wow....

 

[reddog1]

Reddog,

Thanks for remembering. While my uncles served, they were in the Navy in the Pacific. Here are some photo links from years past.

Photos: The 65th Anniversary of D-Day

Photos: D-Day, June 6, 1944

Very, very very cool links Terry, Thank you.

 

[grizzly97]

To all who served that day, I owe you my life and freedoms! Thank you!!!

 

[spazzwarr]

I have a collection of old radio shows. Every June 6th, I listen to the recordings of the original CBS & NBC radio announcement of the invasion and the hourly updates. In those days radio was the only real-time media. As I listen to those recordings, I can imagine the families of those armed forces personnel setting around the radio listening for any news about success and particular units. My father served with the 45th Division in WW II, and my grandma would tell me stories of how my grandfather would set glued to the radio hoping for updates. The 45th was not at Normandy. They had joined the battle early on in North Africa, then on to Sicily, Anzio (Italy), then the southern invasion of France and on to Germany which including the liberation of Dachau.
All in all over 500 days of combat. There is an excellent book about the 45th in WW II. It is called the "Rock of Anzio" by Flint Whitlock.

 

[okiebindernut]

My granddad was in one of the first waves to hit Omaha Beach. He said when the gate of landing craft went down the first thing he could see was that the water was red and when they made it ashore the sand was red too. He always said that it was by the grace of God that any of them made it through that day. Damn I miss him.

 

[pistolpete95]

My FIL wasn't there on that day. He went from North Africa to Italy and worked their way to northern Italy. He received a Silver Star for knocking out a couple of machine gun placements. All he said about was he was just a scared 18yo trying to stay alive. Humble guy. God rest his soul.

 

[NikatKimber]

I don't have any treasured memories like some here do, but one of my most stirring memories was the gun salute at my father's funeral.

I was born on the 40th anniversary of D-Day. It is a good reminder that just 40 short years before I came around, that thousands of Americans were sacrificing their lives so that I could enjoy mine.

I can't begin to imagine what it was like to be there, but I am truly glad that so many were there.

 

[SoonerP226]

The long sobs of the violins of autumn
wound my heart with a monotonous languor