Honoring the D-Day Sacrifices

Me, too, Jo. Inspirational and amazing and sad all at the same time. The world should forever remain grateful for those who sacrificed so much.

"During the Second World War, the Germans took four years to build the Atlantic Wall. On four beaches it held up the Allies for about an hour; at Omaha it held up the U.S. for less than one day." -Stephen Ambrose, D-Day

Thanks for your post.

We also need to remember the young Germans who died in the retreat from Normandy. If I am not mistaken, 50,000 lost their lives in a lost cause.

I was in Normandy in 1995 when there were celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the liberation of France by the Allied Forces. It was wonderfully moving to see the banners and all the allied forces' flags in every little town, and the signs pronouncing "Welcome to our Liberators". I do love the citizens of France.

Thank you for this post, Jo. The world is a far far better place for all of us because of their sacrifice. My God bless them for what they did.

Thanks to all our veterans. And thank you to all our service men and women who make the world a safer place.

Two weeks ago I made my flight reservations for Paris. We will be spending five days in Normandy, and I can't tell you how thrilled I am to be going there.

Thanks Jo for remembering June 6, 1944. We were there two weeks ago which was our second visit and I echo your urging for those who have never visited the D-Day beaches to try to do so. Reading the markers at the American cemetery of the men who paid the ultimate sacrifice while the playing of taps was coming from the loud speakers was a moment I will never forget. I thought about the Mothers, Fathers, wives and family of these men, many who would never get to visit this sacred piece of land. Closure for those must have been next to impossible.
I especially looked for crosses with the names of those from my home state but the ones that touched me the most were those that read:

"HERE RESTS IN HONORED GLORY, A COMRADE IN ARMS KNOWN BUT TO GOD"

Someone once said, "They gave all their tomorrows so that we could have our today." Think about it.

Thanks Jo for reminding us of June 6, 1944. Let us also take some time to remember the French civilians who lost their lives to the bombing of the Normandy towns and villages on D-Day and the days leading up to D-Day. Some 35,000 perished.

Great Post Jo! I will be there for the first time in Sept and can't wait. As a military brat of a WWII, Korea and retired military dad, I appreciate so much what was done. I was able to see Europe in the 50's before rebuilding was even started in many places. Not at all a pretty sight back then but something that had to be done.

As a Belgian currently living in Denmark, I would like to take this opportunity to thank our friends in the USA, Canada, UK, Australia, NZ, and other Allied powers for liberating my country (and Europe) from Nazism 65 years ago. Merci, Dank U, Danke, Tusind tak, THANK YOU!

Somewhere in the American Cemetery above Omaha Beach is a monument commissioned by the French government. Fresh flowers are still placed there every day. The monument reads: "A grateful French nation thanks the Mothers of America for the sacrifice of their sons on this beach, which they call Omaha Beach, in June 1944."That has always stayed with me.I think we have reached a time when the same thing can be said to the families of all those, of whichever nation, who on that day, or in the ensuing fighting days or weeks later, made the ultimate sacrifice.

You are so thoughtful. We were at Normandy 2 years ago and it was so overwhelming. My dad was a glider pilot there and it nice to honor him as well. Thanks, it is worth a visit.

My husband and I with our two children (7 & 11) will be visiting the D-Day beaches this July.

I will bring your posts with me on the trip and read them to my children when we get there.

They will be able to speak of their experience to their classmates in school in September.

It should be very moving for all of us.