General
06 Jun 19
@fmf saidGood job you posted this comment in here rather than debates, or you would have been lambasted for failing to recognise all manner of other factors ranging from the Russian losses to the apparent rape of French women by American soldiers as they supported the liberation efforts.
While D-Day was predominantly a British (and Canadian) operation, I am grateful to the U.S. for their contribution and the part they played.
For those who are not aware of the sheer horror of the Normandy beach landings on June 6th, 1944, I invite you to watch the opening scenes of Saving Private Ryan (1998). These scenes depict the absolute tragedy of the scale of the loss of life on that fateful day. Some made it and lived another day. Many did not.
07 Jun 19
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@suzianne saidThat sounds as if you are under the impression that anything good came without HIM (the Donald).
RNC chairwoman Ronna McDaniel apparently thinks D-Day anniversary celebrations should be all about Donald Trump.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/d-day-celebrate-trump-ronna-mcdaniel_n_5cf7f7d1e4b0e3e3df1427bd
I know, I couldn't believe it before I read the story, either.
One other guy I could think of was this one: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/northkorea/8965150/Kim-Jong-ils-greatest-achievements.html
Probably he should be celebrated at D-Day too?
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@very-rusty saidI recall, as a young airman, I was partying with some G.I. pals on Asan Beach, Guam. We were just a few kilometers north of where the 3rd Marines had landed in July of 1944. I was very interested in the history at that time, because the 40th anniversary celebration of Guam's liberation from the Japanese was in full-bloom.
Anyone have any stories about D-Day?
I am watching a ceremony on T.V they are having at a beach where the troops landed.
-VR
The beach was rather crowded, but we drank and carried on just the same. We were just kids.
During that day, I met up with an older gent who was laying nearby. We struck up a conversation and he revealed that he was an ex-Marine.
At some point, the nearby invasion site became the object of our conversation. The battlefield was a "sacred" place for me. I'd gone there frequently when feeling lonely and in need of a respite from self-pity. In such a place, life's superficialities evaporate.
Anyway, in conversation, he revealed that he'd been part of the first waves which had landed at Omaha. I should have stood-up and given that guy a full military salute. But, being my ignorant young self, I wanted to hear more about the juicy gore. I was such an idiot. He would only say that he was "just lucky" and that he remembered being constantly "terrified". I was respectful of his reluctance to recall and his wife explained that he "never talks about it".
I've thought about him often throughout the years. I've regretted not having been mature enough to recognize and venerate true heroism when it sat directly in front of my face.
@fmf saidThe first couple of days of the Normandy invasion were horrific. Huge
While D-Day was predominantly a British (and Canadian) operation, I am grateful to the U.S. for their contribution and the part they played.
loses on both sides. Plus lots and lolts of civilian casualties.
Tragic.
07 Jun 19
@fmf saidIf not for the involvement of the United States, we'd all be speaking German and would be part of the Third Reich.
While D-Day was predominantly a British (and Canadian) operation, I am grateful to the U.S. for their contribution and the part they played.
Your minimizing the role of the U.S. is an insult, and factually incorrect.
@wolfe63 saidMy father served in North Africa, then Italy, then France.
He would only say that he was "just lucky" and that he remembered being constantly "terrified". I was respectful of his reluctance to recall and his wife explained that he "never talks about it".
I've thought about him often throughout the years. I've regretted not having been mature enough to recognize and venerate true heroism when it sat directly in front of my face.
He never wanted to talk about any of it.
My sister called him a hero but he dismissed it.
My father was of an age when you did your duty.
07 Jun 19
@chaney3 saidwatched too much of the Amazon Series "Man from the High Castle"?
If not for the involvement of the United States, we'd all be speaking German and would be part of the Third Reich.
Your minimizing the role of the U.S. is an insult, and factually incorrect.
07 Jun 19
@chaney3 saidWhat? How? Why?
If not for the involvement of the United States, we'd all be speaking German and would be part of the Third Reich.
Your minimizing the role of the U.S. is an insult, and factually incorrect.
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07 Jun 19
@chaney3 saidThe involvement of the US quickened the end of the war, but victory for the Allied forces would still have been achieved eventually. Russia, for example, would have overwhelmed Germany.
If not for the involvement of the United States, we'd all be speaking German and would be part of the Third Reich.
Your minimizing the role of the U.S. is an insult, and factually incorrect.
07 Jun 19
@ghost-of-a-duke saidCanadians from New Brunswick, Canada were among the firt to hit the beach at Juno. 5,000 Canadians are buried over there. I believe they said 15,000 went over.
The involvement of the US quickened the end of the war, but victory for the Allied forces would still have been achieved eventually. Russia, for example, would have overwhelmed Germany.
-VR