D-Day 71 years ago today

Yes, Kent, I thought of that this morning. We were in Normandy on the 50 th anniversary of the invasion and there wasn't a soul in any Norman town or village who did not recognize the important date.

71 years ago today my Dad was interned in Sweden after his B-24 was badly damaged. They couldn't make it back across the English Channel and they had to go to Sweden. His crew was sitting there with other internees listening to the radio wishing they were taking part in the invasion.

I posted about D-Day on FB. My father's brother died that day. We never forget.

Good catch Kent. Thanks for remembering. Probably like many others I am way too distracted with earning a living and forget to pay attention to important dates. So, thanks.

For my fellow Canadians, next up is the 100'th anniversary of Vimy Ridge, in April 2017 in Vimy France. Planning is under way to be there for it.

I'm watching the D-Day in HD special on History Channel now. Catch it if you can. Coincidentally it's my late grandmother's birthday today who nursed my late grandfather back to health after he was thought to be dead after The Battle of the Bulge. How these people managed to be sufficient and prosperous citizens after this is a testament to humanity. God Bless them and all who followed.

Kent,

This is one date (among others) that I never forget, and I spent the morning watching The Longest Day along with some of the background features about the production of the movie. Given some of the considerable hurdles that Zanuck faced at the time, it's a wonder the movie was ever completed.

I've just finished reading another book on The Great Escape which is another story that I've long been interested in (especially after visiting the site of the camp last year).

We were in Paris on Victory in Europe Day a few weeks ago. And went to the Map Room in Reims where the formal surrender occurred, they have left it as it was on that day. And the Paris Mayor's office placed hundreds (perhaps even several thousand) floral arrangements around Paris at places of significance. And there were flowers at the WW1 and WW2 monuments to the soldiers, resistance, and deportation memorials at Pere Lachaise cemetery.

They were truly the Greatest Generation.

My Dad landed at Omaha Beach during the invasion and I, and my son, have been there many times... The first time for me was with my Dad when I was 7.... We walked the beach together and even at that age I understood the significance of it all and how brave and heroic my Dad was. The history, and Normandy itself, are very near and dear to my heart. I thank my Dad and all Servicemen and Women for their service and sacrifice. Then, and now.

My Uncle Lawrence was part of the D-Day invasion, not as a foot soldier but as one of the landing craft engineers. I found out about this only after he passed away a few years ago and so was never able to ask him about it or commend him for his service. (He also served in the Pacific during WW2.)
They were the greatest generation and they kept quiet about their sacrifice, which is most definitely OUR loss.