Posted by
paddy o'furniture on Friday, June 06, 2008 2:25:23 PM
Shortly after 0000, the canopies began to open. 15,500 U.S. paratroopers and almost as many British began landing behind enemy lines to harass, confuse, and suppress the German defenses. At 0300, aerial bombardment of the French beaches commenced. A short time later, the fleet joined them. At 0630, landing craft aimed for beaches code named Gold, Juno, Sword, Utah and Omaha.
In all, over 130,000 troops were to land on those beaches with support from over 195,000 Naval personnel as well as the French Resistance. It was the largest armada and the largest invasion force the world has yet seen. 64 years ago today.
They have been celebrated for their accomplishments of D-Day and over the next few days: "The Greatest Generation," "Saving Private Ryan," "Band of Brothers," "The Longest Day." But this was a different kind of man from a different America. They didn't want accolades. Those fortunate enough to return home after the war declined to discuss their exploits. They didn't think of themselves as heroic....they were just doing a job. You want heroes, they said, go look under those perfect white crosses and Stars of David in the military cemetaries.
Now these men are mostly gone. All of them in their mid- eighties and beyond, they have lived their lives, raised their families, held their grandchildren on their knees and gone to their reward.
We do not live in a world like that anymore. We live in a world where a careless word uttered in fatigue or frustration can come back 20 years later to derail your career or your political aspirations. We live in a world where the press has ultimate power to persuade, and in order to hold on to that power, is far more willing to propegate lies to the ultimate detriment of their own country than to speak the truth. They say they regard troops as heroes, but they are willing to publish classified information that results in American deaths; they cover up for lying politicians who share their dangerous philosophies and manufacture scandals about those with whom they disagree, and they destroy anyone who dares get in their way. They are the greatest danger faced by Americans, who spend countless hours listening and watching .....and following.
So on June 6, 2008, let's remember the young men who walked this earth and fought for freedom 64 years ago. God blessed us with a Greatest Generation then. Let us pray that another such generation may come along and save us.......from ourselves.
God bless...
paddy