Previous post
It has been 75 years since American, British, and Canadian troops stormed the beaches at Normandy and parachuted in behind the enemy lines to begin the retaking of Nazi-occupied Europe, which we now call D-Day.
I don’t think we can ever overstate just how important this day was to history.
D-Day: Archive video of the Normandy landings https://t.co/Xwi51JIk5w via @YouTube
— NAVYCORPSMAN (@RonNelson15) June 6, 2019
Those who fought there are slowly slipping into the shadows of history, as we continue to see the Greatest Generation pass away. This will probably be one of the last significant anniversaries to have actual D-Day veterans present. Some of those men, now elderly and few in number, came to remember and honor those who fought and died and who are forever young in memory.
75 years ago today, 96-year-old Army veteran Jake Larson stormed Omaha Beach. He is the last living member of his unit. D-Day was a moment that changed his life forever and yesterday was the first time he stepped back onto Omaha Beach. #DDay75thAnniversary @AnthonyMasonCBS pic.twitter.com/1n5bf1C1v6
— CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) June 6, 2019
This is my favourite thing on Twitter. Ever.
Thank you, Harry Billinge.#DDay75thAnniversary pic.twitter.com/hm5KejWgpS— Jonny Geller (@JonnyGeller) June 6, 2019
President Trump gave an absolutely stellar tribute at the commemoration, which can be read in full here and watched here.
We are gathered here on freedom’s altar, on these shores, on these bluffs, on this day 75 years ago, 10,000 men shed their blood, and thousands sacrificed their lives for their brothers, for their countries, and for the survival of liberty.”
Today we remember those who fell and we honor all who fought right here in Normandy. They wouldn’t back this ground for civilization. To more than one 170 Veterans of the Second World War, who join us today, you are among the very greatest Americans who will ever live. You are the pride of our nation. You are the glory of our republic. And we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
Trump recalls the heroic story of Army medic Ray Lambert, who suffered serious wounds during the battle on D-Day. "Ray, the free world salutes you." https://t.co/xfioLf4beF pic.twitter.com/xdYVEDNGjF
— CBS News (@CBSNews) June 6, 2019
While President Trump’s D-Day speech is one of the best he has ever given, no D-Day speech will ever rival President Reagan’s tribute at the 40th anniversary of D-Day, now remembered as the “Pointe du Hoc” speech, commemorating the “Boys of Pointe du Hoc,” the Army Rangers who climbed the cliffs.
In honor of those Rangers, today’s Rangers recreated the climb for the anniversary.
Army Rangers just scaled the cliffs of Pointe du Hoc in honor of the WWII Rangers who stormed Normandy https://t.co/Y71kCmVmGT
— Cory Stophlet (@corystophlet) June 6, 2019
Though the Greatest Generation is sadly leaving us, may we all endeavor to keep the memories of those lost on this day, and on all the days until victory was achieved, green and fresh for those who will never know the honor of meeting a World War II veteran. Seventy-five years after so much blood was spilled for the cause of freedom, today there is peace and reflection and honor on the beaches of Normandy, France.
Featured image: D-Day bas-relief panel from the World War II memorial in Washington, D.C. Photo by Deanna Fisher, April 2014
Leave a Reply