[cobalt]

Lots of memorial services for the vets that landed on the beaches of france during the 2nd world war going on .services in memory of the british /american and canadian troops who fell.I

It will probable be the last mermorial to them as most of them will be in there 90`s .

Its very big thing in france and the Uk

.Quite a lot of american vets there representing the landing

Along with the royal family attending is tpresident Obarma and dignetrys from a host of countrys.Also a re-actment of the landing and the british memorial flight

Suprised to see so many americans at there age, but there are also there familys tracing the parents footsteps and visting relatives graves there.

Most services for the troops takes place tommorow 6th june

I suppose it will be seen on telivision over there as well as a lot of air time will be dedicated to it here

 

[CV3]

It is truly a memorable date. Many brave people form many countries gave their all to give us the lives we have enjoyed. I had family that were there. Sadly as time has past so has the effort to teach our youth of the great sacrifices made by those on that day. Today I was getting lunch and while I was in line some collage students were talking. One ask what was D-Day the other said he was not sure but thought it had something to do with Vietnam. I told them It was the beginning of the end of WWII. And a bit of what that met. One said OH, were you there Mr. I said no. It was in the last of the first half of the last century. One said Wow.

 

[MJC4]

It has been said, by Tom Brokaw I believe, the young people of that era were the "greatest any society has ever produced". I for one truly believe that. The kids of that generation grew up in a great depression and when the world went to war they volunteered to fight because it was the right thing to do. My father, who is gone now, on his 17th birthday went down to the Navy Recruiting office and brought the papers home for my Grandma & Grandpa to sign so he could enlist. He didn't even finish his last year of school. My dad at 17 was off to fight the Japanese on a Navy destroyer. No thought about not going, it's what all the boys did.

When I was 17 I was chasing girls, and being a basic rowdy teen. It wasn't until I was older did I appreciate the sacrifices guys like my dad and others that served have made for this country and the world.

I was too young to serve in Vietnam, they signed the Paris peace accord in my junior year of school. I have relatives and friends that served and I know there are at least a couple of you guys on this site that served (CV3 & CAS). I know D Day is a WW2 memorial, but for all those that served in all the conflicts of the last century and this century as well, GOD BLESS YOU AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!

 

[CAS14]

June 6 also marks the beginning of the Allied counter offensive at a game preserve known as Belleau Wood in France, WWI, 1918. This was predominately a Marine Corps action, the first full-scale battle of the war.

http://militaryhistory.about.com/od/worldwari/p/BelleauWood.htm

 

[gdenby]

My dad arrived in France on D+3, if I'm recalling correctly. He has, alas, lost most of the details in his memory. When I was a kid, I remember him saying how he was privy to some of the info about the invasion, and was scared to death that he might accidentally spill the beans. He later said that when he heard the planes with the paratroopers take off, his first thought was "This is it."

I've been able to learn that at the time he was a staff sargent in the Quartermaster Corp. For awhile he was stationed at Deauville. He's mentioned shipping stacks of munitions that stretched for 2 miles. He received a commendation for his service during the recapture of Rouen.

 

[cobalt]

Both soldiers eh ,well something to be proud of for both of you. A lot of vets here

President obarma getting a lot of coverage on tv here loads of american vets there,

The BBC has shown the services held at normandy all day and describing the action and places thy where in

Theres some 10,000 graves at the cemetry near ohmar beach i understan all american troops who fell on the first days of landing.Th beach head the americans took had a real bad time getting of the beach and came under sustained heavy attacks and only got of when other american and british troops came to assist them .it was a killing field for them.

Preident gave a real powerful speech praising them ,certainly a big day in normandy

Some one said the 2nd world war cost the lives of 56 million peopls in told from all nations including civillians.

 

[cobalt]

Story on tv news today a gentleman in his 90`s absconded from a old folks home ,caused a nation wide search ,found him in normandy he said he wanted to see his old comrades before he died and vist there graves .

he put his blazer and medals on and just went,got to admire him .dont think he had a passport even. the spirit of these old troops is great .He said he did tell his family he wanted to go, dont think anyone took notice of him ,it says a lot of family values

 

[CV3]

We saw the story over here. You can't keep a good man down. I respect those who just will not lay down. They will go tell the drop.