80th anniversary of D-day

[BigRed]

One of my favorite speeches honoring those men and that date in history.

 

[Shadow01]

If I ever fly again it will be to visit Normandy and Pearl Harbor

 

[Emerson Dambiggins]

Sand is probably our biggest export.

One of Sylvain's countrymen honoring a US grave by rubbing sand into the letters to make them stand out.

 

[jwamplerusa]

Quentin Roosevelt was moved so that Teddy Roosevelt Jr.'s wish to be buried with his brother would be honored.

Theodore Roosevelt Jr. | World War II | U.S. Army | Medal of Honor Recipient

U.S. Army Brigadier General Theodore Roosevelt Jr. was posthumously presented the Medal of Honor for military valor during World War II.

www.cmohs.org

 

[actaeon277]

On the 50th Anniversary of D-Day (1994 was 30 years ago...) Norman Schwartzkopf was at Omaha Beach. Standing on the beach he looked at the German positions and said, "This is the best defensive position I've ever seen."

That speaks volumes.

Had they maintained "reaction" forces...
But no. Many were prevented from action due to Hitler thinking this was a feint.
And many were prevented due to French Resistance, and Airborne Troops.

 

[Sylvain]

Just curious, do any German soldiers show up to these events to honor their dead? I certainly don't mean to offend or dishonor anyone, just genuinely curious since I will probably never make it over there.

We have German cemeteries in Normandy, and all across France (both from WW1 and WW2).
They hold ceremonies at their cemeteries, and German officials are invited to all the events at Allied cemeteries.

Some German vets show up but they are very discreet.
They are not allowed to wear any uniform, medals, insigna or display flags (besides the modern German flag) ... even in their country it's illegal to do so.

A lot of Germans citizens show up every year also.
Some come with their WW2 vehicles dressed as Allied soldiers.

I've seen a bunch of WW2 vehicles on our roads this weeks, with licence plates from all across Europe.

Germans soldiers and officials, with French officials, at a German cemetery in Normandy.
The German ambassador to France is usually here.

In the pic bellow you can see French, US, and German troops at that cemetery.

There is also a Jewish ceremony to honor civilians victims of the war.

 

[Sylvain]

 

[jwamplerusa]

Thank you for posting that! Got damn Dusty in here.

 

[Alamo]