Today is the 69th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy, France. I have written of my admiration for the veterans that I have met and corresponded with ...W. S. Connor, rescued from the Leopoldville who went on to fight in the Battle of the Bulge... Louie Zamperini, Japanese POW Survivor and inspirational Christian speaker, and Benjamin Purcell, vet from World War II, Korean War and Vietnam. I remember a veteran telling me that you might read of the thousands and thousands of ships that made up the armada on D-Day but when you actually SAW them and the sight of the ships were AS FAR AS THE EYE COULD SEE, then it was an overwhelming feeling of pride and awe. Before the troops landed on shore, the paratroopers had parachuted during the night before, starting just after midnight. If you notice from my profile, I was born in Toccoa, Georgia, which is where the army paratroopers, the 101st Airborne, were trained. You might remember them from " Band of Brothers" which was a mini-series from 2001 on HBO. Did you know that the actors who portrayed these men actually called them and asked their advice as they were filming? Dick Winters was flown into England so as to give his input in the filming! (You really MUST know the name Dick Winters!) "Band of Brothers" is very true to the book written by Stephen Ambrose and I would recommend them both to you. Most of these soldiers have died now and it is thought that in six years all of the veterans from World War II will be gone. I will never forget them.
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| The English Channel From Coast of England |
My Dad fought in WWII...drove a tan, liberated Jewish Holocaust victims and many more stories that I wish he had written down before he passed away. He was only 56 when he died. His love letters to my Mom are beautiful and I'm hoping we can get them into print soon. It's hard to believe that all the veterans will be gone soon. I hope their stories will be told. "Band of Brothers" was just an awesome production. Loved it.
ReplyDeleteI hope you are able to publish those letters that your Dad wrote. I am so sorry that he died so young. It is sad that we are losing so many of our WW2 vets (and also sad it took them so long to have the moument to them in Washington, D.C.!)
DeleteThanks for your comment.
I have uncles and family friends in the 442nd who went to Europe. The suffering and bravery of these men and women of that time and before absolutely fills me with awe.
ReplyDeleteI agree and it truly was a world war, so much going on all over the globe. And so many people suffered in so many different ways. Didn't you say in one of your posts that your mother was sent to a camp because she was Japanese? I wonder if she talks about it much. Perhaps not, it might bring back too many sad memories.
DeleteSuch a terrible time in history. So many brave men and women sacrificed their lives.
ReplyDeleteTrue, and I hope that people will always pause on this date and remember them.
DeleteMy dad was in the Army then and from what I learned I think he was part of that, He really didn't like to talk about the war. He was wounded badly, but survived. It was a terrible time.
ReplyDeleteWhen I worked at a travel agency in the 80's and 90's, I spoke with many vets going to their reunions. At first, none of them would speak of their time in the war, but as time went on, they opened up more and began to speak of their experiences. I am very grateful to all those who shared their stories with me and I only wish I could have had more time time with each one of them. They all said the same, you always looked out for your buddy...that is why I felt Stephen Ambrose got his book exactly right, "Band of Brothers" is how they felt about each other.
DeleteThat was such a terrible time-a blight on the history of man. I am so grateful for those that gave their lives for my family's freedom. xo Diana
ReplyDeleteIt was a truly world war and one that had much suffering.
DeleteThe sacrifices that were made should not be forgotten, that is my belief anyway.
Dear Kay - Remembering the courageous men who landed in Normandy on D-Day is so important. It is sad to think that all the WWII veterans will soon have passed, but recording their stories, achievements, sacrifices and patriotism is vital. Thank you for reminding us to think of them.
ReplyDeleteMairéad
Dear Mairead,
DeleteThank you for your comment. I wonder if children today are aware of D-Day and why we should remember it.
Like you, I am grateful for the recording of the stories of the WWII vets.
This is a wonderful tribute to all who participated in the D-Day landing. My dad came ashore with the second wave of the 1st Infantry Division (U.S.) on Omaha Beach that day. The only thing I can remember him saying about it was that he had never seen so many white crosses in his life when he stopped by there before boarding the ship back home after the war in Europe was over.
ReplyDeleteOh, Jerry, I wish I could have a wonderful tribute to these men, such as your very own father! You must be so proud.
DeleteI understand that is very moving to visit Normandy and to see all those white crosses.
Thanks for your comment.
Speak to them now as these ex-servicemen will soon be gone.
ReplyDeleteYes, I know and it saddens me greatly. W.S. Connor, who survived the Leopoldville (I did a post about him) died in 2000 and Col. Benjamin Purcell just died a few months ago.
DeleteLouie Zamperini...he is 96 now and he is still giving inspirational speeches! If you don't read anything else in your life, read "Devil At My Heels" by Louis Zamperini. His story is incredible!
Hi Kay! It makes me sad to think of all the WWII veterans being gone. Same with Holocaust survivors. All of them....they're such an important part of history....and there's nothing quite like a first account! I hope you're well and you have a lovely, lovely weekend!
ReplyDeleteThe firsthand accounts of the Holocaust survivors are so heartbreaking. Ben Gross is a very well known name here in Rockdale County, He died in 2004.
Deletehttp://www.thebreman.org/exhibitions/online/newlives/profile.php?ID=184
There, I found a link about him, if you are interested. Such a nice man too, I used to do airline tickets for him!
That's amazing that you knew him, Kay. Thanks so much for sharing that with me!!!
DeleteLike so many of your visitors, my Dad was a WWII veteran. What a terrible war.
ReplyDeleteMy Dad's two older brothers were in World War II also.
DeleteThe oldest was in Patton's Army and had a rough time in life after the war was over.
Hi Kay. My Dad was in London on this date 69 years ago and he remembers that day well. He is 97 years old now and is as lucid as ever he was.
ReplyDeleteThat war was a 'turning point' war for many so many people and for those of us who came afterwards. Those men and women were very courageous people.
Please say hello to your Dad for me!
DeleteNow, I really must do a post about my in-laws in England and what they experienced during the war! They were from London and were sent away as children by train to escape the bombing.
Two days after the day I was born. My generation grew up not having taken part in The War but lived with it in such recent past that it is still a very real thing to me.
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