D-Day, 58 years removed

[SixFive]

Imagine how scary that must have been, storming Omaha Beach straight into the teeth of those concrete bunkers and machine gun emplacements. Thank goodness for all those veterans who made it back home and those who died right there on the beach fighting for freedom.

 

[Bluemound Freak]

My grandfather stormed Utah Beach and he has told me some horrific stories of him and some of the others that actually made it up and into the concrete bunkers! Man I would have been a scared little boy knowing I was 18-19 years old and had to go into that kind of mess! He was shot a couple days later and was sent to England. Upon healing and receiving his Purple Heart he went back and was blown up by a grenade a little over a year later. After receiving a Second Purple Heart he was shipped back to England where he played football for the Army until he was discharged! Had an offer to come home and play for the Chicago Bears but returned home to be with my grandmother. He and every other person that was there that day is a great man! I stand and applaud each and every one of them!




Personally I would have went and played ball in Chi town, but I guess I'm glad he did not! I would not have been here if he had!

 

[AR182]

SixFive;

I am glad that you started this thread.

I don't know if people realize the importance of the D-day invasion.With 7,000 vessels used,this was the largest sea borne assault in history.Ships & airplanes brought approximately 175,000 American,British,& Canadians forces to Normandy.Troops from at least 11 nations took part in the invasion.Their were 5,000 casualties alone on that day.
This invasion led to the liberation of France & probably changed the momentum of the war in Europe.

We all take our freedom for granted but if it wasn't for "the greatest generation"our world might look different.We owe our parents, grandparents & other people of that generation alot.

Bluemound Freak,thank your grandfather for his bravery.

 

[bjfinste]

I just saw Saving Private Ryan last week again and it just made me cringe. I'm 23 and I can't imagine going through that, and I feel I've matured by leaps and bounds over the last few years. When I think of myself at 18 or 19 being there, I just don't think I could handle that. All of those soldiers are true heros.

I read something interesting earlier today. I guess some of the people from France who lived there during that time don't like it called the invasion of Normandy, because they feel it wasn't an invasion, but rather a liberation. The nazi's, they feel, invaded. The allies only liberated the land from their grip. A good point, when you think about it.

Regardless, the next time you see a WWII vet, don't forget to thank them for what they did for not only America, but the entire world.