OFF TOPIC---D-DAY

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June 6, 1944, was D-Day. It was a day that changed history, both for the effect it had in eventually ending World War II and had on the lives of those who took part, as well as the lives lost in the conflict. Who knows what those who died might have done had they lived--cured cancer, found new fuel sources, created new anti-biotics or vaccines? We will never know. Please, let's all take a few minutes to reflect on the sacrifices these people and many more like them in other battles and other conflicts have made so that we can have the choices and freedoms we have today.

-- Carmen (logcabin_now@yahoo.com), June 06, 2000

Answers

Carmen, Let's also remember the families of those who have lost their loved ones! Sonda in Ks.

-- Sonda (sgbruce@birch.net), June 06, 2000.

Life always is a toss of the dice in peace or war. Not intending any disrespect, I did hear an interesting comment this morning on the news. Apparently General Eisenhower wanted young inexperienced troops for the initial landing. Seems they are more brave/arrogant and dont think they'll die so will march right in without hesitation. Adolesent testosterone I guess. Rather cynical attitude if its true, but then war is nasty in lots of different ways.

-- Hermit John (ozarkhermit@pleasedontspamme.com), June 06, 2000.

Hermit John,

Ike did not select "young, inexperienced troops for the initial assualt" - the old RA divisions, the 1st and 4th, battle tested in N. Africa and/or Italy, took Omaha and Utah beaches respectively, and the two airborne divisions (the 82d and 101st) jumped inland. Eisenhower and the SHAEF staff wanted successful landings, not a bunch of casualities resulting from the use of green units.

My opinion only,

Bob

-- Bob (STBARB@usa.net), June 06, 2000.


Gotta learn to do my own research before pressing the submit button. Yes I did hear the green troop theory on CBS I think. The more I thought about it, the goofier it sounded. Only makes sense that one would want to have at least a core of seasoned troops that wouldnt panic when they see their buddy get blown up. Will stand by statement that lot of crap goes on during war. The generals arent terribly concerned about the individual grunt except to keep casualities low and moral high. For them its all about winning some "human chess match". And I guess that goes with their job description.

-- Hermit John (ozarkhermit@pleasedontspamme.com), June 07, 2000.

Yeah, war is crap. It sucks. Some generals, maybe many generals, perhaps even most generals (but I think not) are more concerned with the self glory, or just with waging war as a challenge, a grand game. But I'll give Ike the benefit of the doubt, and I believe he believed what he told his troops in his D-Day message, that they were embarked on a great crusade, and that "...you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world." In my opinion we owe the men and women who defeated Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan an incredible debt. I can't imagine what this world would be like if the Axis had won. I guess I'd be speaking Japanese or German. Oh well I'm rambling far too long,

Just my 2 cents worth,

Bob

-- Robert (STBARB@usa.net), June 07, 2000.



I asked my veteran father if he could elaborate on the landing but he said "I was Burma theatre and all we got to see were news flashes on our bulletin board" He had heard that the landing craft had equal gallons of sea water and vomit on the decks. I understand that very well. I have had that reaction to fear. FNG's or seasoned troops ? I imagine a little of both hit that sand and boys became men and men became old as the surf broke on their face. War is an accumulation of all your worst fears, packaged into a neatly wrapped package labeled, Horror. Our heartfelt gratitude to those who endured it, those who had only flags left to hug and those with the horror still living within them.

-- Joel Rosen (Joel681@webtv.net), June 08, 2000.

Thinking of those who fought for the freedom and values they held dear should make us more determined to preserve them -- otherwise, their sacrifices were in vain.

-- Kathleen Sanderson (stonycft@worldpath.net), June 09, 2000.

MY UNCLE STANLEY, WAS ONE OF THOSE MEN KILLED WHEN HE LANDED IN FRANCEDURING WORLD WAR 11. MY FATHER WAS IN THE BATTLE OF THE BULDGE A AND REMEMBERS IT ALL. MY MOTHERS AND FATHERS BROTHERS WERE ALL IN IT. A TOTAL OF 5. THEY WON'T TALK ABOUT IT. I HAVE MUCH RESPECT FOR OUR SERVICEMEN. THEY GAVE ALL. THEY BELIEVED IN GOD AND COUNTRY. BOTH MY HUSBANS WERE IN THE ARMY AND NAVY. THEY BELIEVED IN WHAT THEY FOUGHT FOR. LETS NOT FORGET THEM.

-- MRS. PRISCILLA WILLIAMS (gp83196@aol.com), June 12, 2000.

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