Normandy Marks D-Day's 79th Anniversary

Normandy Marks D-Day's 79th Anniversary, Honors WWII Veterans

ON OMAHA BEACH, France — An overwhelming sound of gunfire and men’s screams. That’s how World War II veteran Marie Scott described D-Day, as Tuesday's ceremonies got underway in honor of those who fought for freedom in the largest naval, air and land operation in history.




WWII Veterans Share Personal Stories

 

I've been there and I truly cannot imagine how they got ashore or inland, specifically Omaha beach, as the entire area looks like a kill zone to me. I guess it was given the number of causalities in such a short time.

 

Not a word in corporate America. There was a reminder from our DEI that this is “Immigrant Month”.

 

I don't think this country will ever see the likes again of those who served in WW II. The love of country, a sense of duty, honor, a belief in a higher power for the most part IMO are gone. That generation was the product of the depression- they had a work ethic, they new what it was like to struggle. The current generation has been handed everything by parents, by government --the me generation, taught the country is evil, racist, capitalism is bad socialism is the shinning light. My opinion don't think I'm that far off

 

I had both Grand Fathers go ashore in Normandy, as well as three uncles and a cousin, it's sad and quite telling that NO mention is made today of those brave men and their sacrifice to ensure our freedoms! Many never returned, and many more carried the scars of that invasion for the rest of their lives, a silent testament to the costs of freedom we take advantage of!

 

If there was an internet in the 40's it would have been full of bullshit conspiracy theories and the Brits would be speaking German now.

 

God Bless them all . When I joined the service ,, I was just hoping to be able to honor all of those men with my small commitment to our country . I Never meant to be a hero , and I am not ,, like they are to me ,, I just wanted to honor them with what little I could do for my country ,, and be there If my country called . What little bit I did experience,,, wouldn't make a corn kernel in a turd pile compared to what them men endured .
May God Bless them all ,, and may they all rest in peace.

I am so disgusted with our country these days ,, I almost wish another country would walk thru here a show these dipshits exactly what they are pissing away . Once their blood starts spilling on their own soil ,, it'll be to damned late for them then ,,, and I'll go out in a short blaze of glory with a smile on my face ,, knowing they are getting exactly what they deserve .

God Bless America,, for as long as she stands ,,

 

I heard or read that most Americans, Canadians and Brits just walk along the beach and look up at the German fortifications, but to really understand D-Day one must go up into the German positions that made-up the Atlantic Wall and look DOWN at the beaches...look DOWN at the tourists on the beaches and be amazed that anyone could make it across that kill-zone alive! Yes, there were 4,500 men killed on the beaches that day, but the butchers bill could have been much, much higher! Never, forget that the night before those tens of thousands of British and American paratroopers that had jumped into Occupied France, nor the French Resistance fighters that had broken cover to join in the fight! I'm sure that the Allied leaders were secretly overjoyed that the causalities were so light and that the landings were a success. Had Operation Overlord not succeeded Allied losses could have topped 100,000!

 

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I had the opportunity to walk the beach at Omaha, to stand there at about waters edge of 1944 and that image sent ice through my veins, the thoughts of what those men endured just getting to the beach, and then had to endure to make it across the sands and to take it from the Germans, it brought tears I tell ya! I hiked up to the ridge and walked through the various emplacements overlooking the landings, and while it was a rather warm summer day, I shivered, the thoughts of just how exposed and naked those men were really struck me. Even after the Germans had endured more then a weeks bombardment from the air, and a God almighty shelling from all the warships at sea, the likes of which you could never imagine simply awed me, and I sat there reflecting on what kind of life I had lived, was I worthy of such sacrifice, was my contributions to freedom worthy of their respect? It changed me, enlightened me, gave me strength I didn't know I had, and when my time came to pick up my rifle once again, my focus was lasers, cold, hard, death! I often reflect back on that days experiences, and I know what those men endured will never be matched in our days, but I also know, as long as there are men and women willingly putting on a uniform and pick up a rifle to defend freedom, there is always hope for us, and I pray we never see those days, but I fear, deep down in my bones, those days are coming once again, and I know, as history repeats it's self, we will see that kind of bravery yet again!