The greatest generation!!!  Thank God for them.
Every June 6th I ask (mostly young people that I work with) what is special about "today".. They think for a minute and most do not know... Sad!

I give them a quick history lesson on the spot.
Usually the only young ones that know what June 6th is are those who had a grandfather in WWII. All of my uncles on my Dad's side (some of which lied about their age on December 8th, 1941) fought in WWII.  One uncle was a translator with Love Company in the Rainbow division, 242nd Infantry(he grew up in south county, St. Louis speaking German as his first language)When I got old enough to start asking them about fighting, shooting at the enemy and battles; the normal answer was. "Well, I had a few dents in my helmet.."!!  

After he died my Aunt told me he wanted me to have all of his war books, letters and paperwork.. Awesome history given to me by a man that lived it.

Thank you all veterans!!

John III

Sadly, this country will never see their like again.

My wife's grandad landed in the 3rd wave on Utah beach. We used to catfish together and he shared stories with me that he wouldn't talk about to others, even in his family. I truely believe they were the greatest generation and we owe them so much.

My uncles served in WW1 and WW2,they never spoke much about it,they grew up in a different world with different standards,I for one believe our country was better for it.

My father fought in the south Pacific driving a landing craft in the Navy.  My uncle was a fighter pilot in the south pacific also and flew 93 mission. My uncle is still alive and turns 90 this October.  The bad thing is, you ask some young people who we fought in WW2 and they have no idea.  Much less what D Day was.

I'm very grateful for the efforts of your lads on that day and on the others before and after it.

As a guy a few generations removed i couldnt agree more that was indeed the "greatest generation" and the debt of gratitude owed to them is not only beyond explanation it is also beyond repayment...sadly in this time of instant results and a me first attitude this country may never see the likes of that group again....they should be honored for what they did and accomplished Thank you for all you did then! As one of the younger i wont forget!                

TTT for D-Day God Bless all our troops!!!!

I have personally talked to only one man who was there on that day in 1944.

With tears in his eyes (and mine) he said he would do it all again. He spoke of the bravery of everyone else, not of his own brave sacrifice. I have seen interviews on TV and they ALL speak of the bravery of everyone ELSE, with no mention of themselves. That SELFLESSNESS is what saved the world back then.

God bless our soldiers...then and now!

Thank God for them all. I can't imagine our country as it is today accepting the kind of casualties that were suffered that day. Many boys became men that day. I salute them.

Pinecone is right on target. God Bless Them All.

thanks to all the vets

I actually ended up in DC at the monument yesterday. Not planned but worked out great, alot of verterans there and people taking pictures with them.
Then I walked over to the Korean war memorial, that is one my dad was in as a machine gunner - that memorial is also very good - kind of ghostly almost.

Yeah people should have alot of appreciation for what they have in this country.

J

I salute all of our men and women serving our country - both past and present.

Both of my grandfathers served in the Pacific theatre during that great war.  Sadly I don't recall many of the stories that they shared with me when I was a youngster.


I do have one story to share, and it is of a chance meeting with a kind old gentleman who was on those beaches on that dreadful day:

    Years ago I was seated in the movie theatre in Pincher Creek, Alberta and having just finished watching the newly-released Saving Private Ryan, I made my way up the aisle to the back of the theatre.

    Before exiting the theatre I saw an old gentleman still seated in his chair, his head bowed and a few tears visible on his cheek.  I didn't want to intrude, but before leaving the theatre I felt compelled to place my hand upon his shoulder and politely smile as I passed by.

    Later that evening while dining at a local restaurant with some friends, I saw this same gentleman eating by himself across the room.  I decided to make my way toward him and make idle conversation about the movie.  

    He invited me to sit at his table, and after sharing what has to be the most intriguing 30 minute conversation I have ever had, I learned that this kind gentleman was part of the Queen's Own Rifles who made their way upon the beaches on the morning of D-Day.  

    Like all of the other forces on the beaches, his Regiment suffered many losses, but eventually made their way in-land and fought across northern France and into Belgium.


I still remember our conversation to this day, and I am forever humbled and honored to have shared that moment with that kind old man.

If you know a WW2 veteran (or any vet for that matter,) take the time to sit down with them and listen to what they have to share!

Our younger generation has a lot to learn about why we are free today. God bless the veterans.

It really was the greatest generation. They were proud to serve our country and many made the ultimate sacrifice. We will neve be able to repay the debt they paid.

I served in the army (82nd Airborne) but never saw combat. The closest that we came to going to battle was during the Cuban Crisis. We had packed everything up and spent the night in the pack shed waiting to load in the air craft. It was time enough to envision jumping over Cuba and all that this would entail. It was like getting a very small view of what others had endured.

War may be glorious to some who view it from a distance, but it must be a living hell for those caught in the middle of it. Those who died for us, and those who survived have my ultimate respect whether it be WW II, Korea, Viet Nam, or the current battles going on in the Middle East.
Thanks, and God bless them all.