June 6, 1944, 65 years later....

[Coach]

Saturday marks the anniversary of "D-Day," referring to the D-Day invasion in Europe in 1944. This year commemorates the 65th anniversary of Operation Overlord, or "D-Day," when thousands of American and British troops landed on the shores of Normandy with the objective of securing it from Nazi Germany, through additional land and naval support of other Allied nations.

The assault, the largest seaborne invasion in history to that time, is considered to be the turning point in the war toward the Allied victory, but it was not without cost. Total Allied casualties on D-Day are estimated at 10,000, including more than 2,500 dead.

Today, 65 years later, as our World War II veterans of our greatest generation are passing on, Americans reflect on the significance of June 6, 1944, and the historical importance of Operation Overlord. More than 330,000 Wisconsin service members served in World War II, with close to 43,000 of them alive today; only a certain percentage of them took part in Operation Overlord.

The National World War II Memorial on the national mall in Washington, D.C., was dedicated five years ago, on May 29, 2004. The National Honor Flight Network is bringing World War II veterans and terminally ill veterans to visit the memorial. There are several flight hubs in Wisconsin with future flights being planned.

Also in keeping the historical significance alive, the Wisconsin Veterans Museum preserves the materials and memories of all Wisconsin veterans, including those at D-Day, through the Wisconsin Veterans Oral History Project, as well as archives and object collections.

Let us all remember the importance of the heroic invasion 65 years ago on "D-Day."

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[MIAdragon]

One the things many forget ( myself included ) is how many other countries also sacked up and landed that day. They include; England, Canada. Australia, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, France, Greece, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway and Poland.

[Chief Henry]

Originally Posted by BigChiefDave

My grandfather survived Normandy.

kudos to your dad and that generation

[Otter]

I always feel like such a pussy when I read about what those guys went through.

God Bless and Thank You

[Donger]

Originally Posted by MIAdragon

France

It sure was nice of them to participate, yes.

[PhillyChiefFan]

"Freedoms that we now enjoy
Born from D-Day’s terrible labour
Creating debt to soldiers living and dead
That can never be repaid.
Except that we are thankful,
And promise never to forget"
-Malcom Watts

[tomahawk kid]

My great uncle parachuted in on DDay and also was a survivor of the Battle of the Buldge. He had earned the rank of sergeant in an armory division and was actually one of the first soldiers sent home on the "points" system that they mention towards the end of Band of Brothers

I knew that he had participated in the BOTB growing up, but didn't know the rest until I attended his funeral back in 2006. Some of his comrades from the local VFW chapter filled us in on details about his service that he would have never mentioned himself.

[chagrin]

Originally Posted by raybec 4

Not just that day either, those were different times forthe military as well. Those guys went to war when it started and didn't come back 'til it was over. Heroes each and every one.

[PhillyChiefFan]

Originally Posted by tomahawk kid

My great uncle parachuted in on DDay and also was a survivor of the Battle of the Buldge. He had earned the rank of sergeant in an armory division and was actually one of the first soldiers sent home on the "points" system that they mention towards the end of Band of Brothers

I knew that he had participated in the BOTB growing up, but didn't know the rest until I attended his funeral back in 2006. Some of his comrades from the local VFW chapter filled us in on details about his service that he would have never mentioned himself.

Thing is, he himself, probably didn't feel it necessary to detail his career. Probably just figured he was doing his job, nothing more. Even though what he was doing was heroic. That's what always amazes me, they fought and died before they would have been old enough to drink a beer legally today.

[PhillyChiefFan]

My favorite part of Band of Brothers is when they have the actual guys telling their stories.

I wish I could spend just ONE afternoon with Dick Winters.

[tomahawk kid]

Originally Posted by PhillyChiefFan

Thing is, he himself, probably didn't feel it necessary to detail his career. Probably just figured he was doing his job, nothing more. Even though what he was doing was heroic. That's what always amazes me, they fought and died before they would have been old enough to drink a beer legally today.

I think that was very much the case AND I think he probably had some undiagnosed post tramatic stress disorder.

Mom remembers him going into the house during fireworks time on the 4th of July when she was a kid. He just couldn't take the sound. Firecrackers apparently bothered him the most, probably for obvious reasons.

[tomahawk kid]

Originally Posted by PhillyChiefFan

My favorite part of Band of Brothers is when they have the actual guys telling their stories.

I wish I could spend just ONE afternoon with Dick Winters.

I picked up his book about a month back and am still working my way through it.

Its a little dense and thick on details, so I'm only about a quarter of the way through.

[Otter]

Originally Posted by PhillyChiefFan

My favorite part of Band of Brothers is when they have the actual guys telling their stories.

I wish I could spend just ONE afternoon with Dick Winters.

He lives maybe an hour from me and I had the pleasure of shaking his hand. Honestly man, when you look him in the eye there's nothing you can say to him. At least I didn't know what to say. Knod and 'thank you sir'.

It's hard to believe the spirit in that old mans body kicked all that ass so many moons ago.

He wouldn't talk to you or me about what he went through over than anyway. Those guys discuss that between themselves and maybe other war veterns and pretty much no one else from my experience.

[PhillyChiefFan]

Originally Posted by Otter

He lives maybe an hour from me and I had the pleasure of shaking his hand. Honestly man, when you look him in the eye there's nothing you can say to him. At least I didn't know what to say. Knod and 'thank you sir'.

It's hard to believe the spirit in that old mans body kicked all that ass so many moons ago.

He wouldn't talk to you or me about what he went through over than anyway. Those guys discuss that between themselves and maybe other war veterns and pretty much no one else from my experience.

Wouldn't expect him too, honestly what can I say that has any weight compared to what he and his men had been through?

I almost get choked up at the very end of BoB when he says about Ranney "I cherish the memories of a question my grandson asked me the other day when he said "grandpa were you a hero in the war?" Grandpa said "No...but I served in a company of heroes."

Gets me everytime.

[tomahawk kid]

Originally Posted by PhillyChiefFan

Wouldn't expect him too, honestly what can I say that has any weight compared to what he and his men had been through?

I almost get choked up at the very end of BoB when he says about Ranney "I cherish the memories of a question my grandson asked me the other day when he said "grandpa were you a hero in the war?" Grandpa said "No...but I served in a company of heroes."

Gets me everytime.

Same here.

[Coach]

If my figures are correct, it is currently 2:00A.M., June 6th in London. 4½ more hours until the landings.