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June 6, 1944: The Longest Day

6/6/2014

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It was a misty dark morning with rolling seas as they climbed aboard the landing craft to be taken ashore.  They were pensive and nervous, thinking about what would be awaiting them.  Once aboard, they crouched against the cold metal and waited.  The water was choppy and the craft rolled from side to side and up and down, creaking and banging as the large waves slammed into the metal hull.

As waves occasionally sent heavy splashes of water down upon them, the damp air smelled of salt brine mixed with fuel.  It is likely that most of them said a prayer for salvation, even those who heretofore had never shown any signs of religious belief.  They continuously checked themselves over, making sure that they had all of their gear as they revisited their battle orders which had been drilled into their head for weeks.

As they drew closer to shore they could hear the guns, the large
artillery which the Germans were using to try and stop them.  Occasionally there was a nearby explosion indicating a direct hit.  Their sergeants and platoon leaders yelled readiness instructions over the chaos, repeating the steps for readiness as they neared their drop off point.  Now machine gun fire could be heard and they knew they were nearing the dreaded point of taking on direct fire.

With adrenalin pumping and their minds racing, they were told to stand ready as the landing craft raced the final yards before the ramp started to open.  As it opened, many of them in the first waves never even had a chance to exit the craft before being mowed down by enemy fire.  Others found upon entering the water that they were over their head in depth and sank to the bottom with all of the dead weight never to resurface.  Even more, those who had eaten a full breakfast, became disoriented because of their sea sickness and could not find their way, becoming instant targets in their confusion.

But they kept coming, wave after wave kept coming, and now they were starting to reach the beach in larger numbers and gradually penetrate the beachhead to the base of the bluffs despite all of the blood, carnage and chaos around them.  Brave medics ran from cluster to cluster doing what they could to help the wounded and combat engineers found weak points and used explosive charges to continue past obstacles and rangers and others began to climb the cliffs to the top.

Once the first breaks were made, hundreds of men continued to breach the bluff crests and they finally poured through and into inland coastal France.  It took hours with thousands of dead and wounded but with the help of airborne infantry who had been dropped behind enemy lines they finally silenced the big guns, allowing the breaches to open to a human wave.

This was D-Day, June 6, 1944, truly in military annals the Longest Day.  It was the beginning of the end for Nazi Germany, but it would be many long months before that would become reality.  But America and her allies had finally breached the fortress that was Nazi Europe and as the industrial might of America and the thousands of patriotic men continued the push,  General Dwight Eisenhower's great gamble finally succeeded and with it came the rebirth of a free Europe.  The scourge of Adolph Hitler finally ended.

God bless all of those brave souls, living and dead, who carried out their mission effectively and with honor despite the heavy price that they paid.  May we always remember their valor and fortitude and may they serve as a shining example of what it means to be free.  Never forget and never let anyone take away our fervor and love for a free America. 


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Display Old Glory, It's Armed Forces Day

5/17/2014

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Today is Armed Forces Day, a day when America traditionally celebrated the American military for all that they do to protect us and keep us safe.  I use the term celebrated in the past tense since today most Americans don’t even recognize it on the calendar.  But in its heyday Armed Forces Day wasn’t a day limited to honor the dead or the wounded or even those who fought in wars for their country.  No, this was  a day designed to honor the composite force of men and women and the military institutions they represented in total as a salute to what this large body of Patriots meant to us and our safety from forces of evil throughout the world. And while the day is still designated, it has sadly been forgotten by so many of us.

In years gone by, Armed Forces Day was a really big deal.  Communities around the country held parades, usually on Saturday morning, and townspeople planning on shopping downtown timed their trips to first attend the parade and then shop.  Military units were invited to participate, local bands showed up dressed to the hilt and even the police and fire departments entered marching units in dress uniforms.  The reviewing stand for judging performance was decked out in red, white and blue bunting rivaling a Fourth of July parade and many in the crowd wore red, white and blue while sporting American flags.  Patriotic pride clearly filled the air.

I had the good fortune as a boy to personally participate in this wonderful parade of support for our military.  The first time, as a Cub Scout, I remember making sure my mom did a special pressing of my uniform as I wanted it to be perfect.  I stood tall and proud as our group, normally mischievous and active, stood at silent attention waiting to begin our march.  I think it was right then when I knew I wanted to be a soldier when I grew up.

Later, in the first year of high school before I became active in sports, I marched as a member of the marching band.  In our blue and gold uniforms with gleaming instruments, we all felt a chill go down our back as we stepped out on the avenue at the beginning of the parade route and saw the huge throngs of people watching our every step.  When we broke out into a John Philip Sousa march the crowd cheered and we played as well and as loud as we ever performed.  At the end of the long parade, we were hot and tired but happy and we felt extremely proud to be Americans and to have our military to keep us free.

Aside from some American Legion functions and events in heavily military family communities, little notice of it is made these days.  It probably won’t even be mentioned on the news, and it’s sad to note that since the anti-war movement became so outspoken during the Vietnam conflict, those who give dearly of themselves, even up to and including death for their American brothers and sisters, fail to be recognized on this occasion.  I’m afraid it’s just a sad sign of the times and as fewer and fewer young Americans experience the privilege of serving in uniform it becomes easy to forget the cause which many no longer fully understand or appreciate.

We’re going to have another chance soon to celebrate and honor our military, but this next opportunity is for those who have given the ultimate sacrifice, dying for their country and their countrymen.  Memorial Day is right around the corner and while more people recognize than any other event related to the military, it is really sad that only after death do we as a nation seem to take real notice of all that our brave fighting men and women do.

So, on this Armed Forces Day I ask that each of you take a moment and say thanks to all of our fellow citizens for taking the time and sacrificing a portion of their lives so that we might remain free.  God bless them and God bless the United States of America. May Old Glory fly proudly and forever over a land that remains free.


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    ABOUT ME

    Hi, I'm James, a writer who studies nature,  animals and all things created by God. I also write from time to time about what I think God expects of us.  I would love to hear your thoughts on these subjects. I hope you enjoy my comments.

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