With my wife’s condition and her recent surgery, I did not have the opportunity to say what I desired about that day in our history known as “D-Day.”  The tribute deserving to those who served and sacrificed during WWII or any other time in our history should never be omitted.  Those of WWII, those known as the Greatest Generation are deserving of all the recognition and thanks we can muster!  I know this is a few days late but I hope it reflects my deep gratitude and reignites a patriotic spirit within each heart.

The WWII generation is often called “The Greatest Generation” and were I to suggest that is not an appropriate title would detract from their incredible contribution so I would never do that.  I am deeply appreciative for the sacrifices, resolve, and commitment to Liberty and Freedom of that Generation and will ALWAYS tip my hat to them.  They lived in an era and faced conditions in which failure meant the world would be plunged into the control of Despotic Madmen who would rule with an Iron Fist and make the citizens virtual if not literal slaves.  The genocide would have been even more pronounced than it was and it was horrific.  The tyranny would be so diabolical that life would be nothing more than an existence and all hopes and dreams would be trampled under the Jack-booted heels of the Nazi’s and Imperialist of Japan’s Empire to name two of the players in that conflict.  There would be no United States of America and no recognition of our Inalienable Rights as recognized by our Constitution.  There would be no elections or elections would be shams.  Economic prosperity would be relegated to the designated few leaving the masses to live in the squalor of poverty.  THERE WAS NO CHOICE!  Those Patriots were facing a Life or Death situation and they choose life knowing that to secure life, liberty, and freedom might cost them their own lives.  THAT MAKES THEM GREAT, if not the greatest!

World War II lasted from 1939 to 1945 and in 1944 the Allied Forces adopted a plan that was designed to shorten the war. Failure would have shortened it but not in a positive manner.  It was bold, daring, dangerous, and incredibly well coordinated. I look back on it, from the historic record, and am amazed at how many glitches in the plan there were and yet it still worked.  I personally believe that was the providence of the Almighty.  The Battle of Normandy lasted from June to August 1944 and effected the liberation of Western Europe from the control of the Nazi’s.  This operation had numerous names but is most commonly known as “D-Day” when 156,000 Allied troops landed on five beaches along a 50 mile stretch of heavily armed and guarded coastline in France’s Normandy region.

America entered the War in December 1941. The British had been contemplating an assault across the English Channel and this developed over more than two years.  Hitler was aware of that threat and ordered Rommel to defend the region.  The Germans did not know exactly where or when but they knew the threat was real and imminent.  Rommel was ordered to build the Atlantic Wall, a 2,400-mile fortification of bunkers, landmines, and beach and water obstacles, a massive undertaking.  In January 1944 Dwight D. Eisenhower assumed command of the Operation Overlord.  The Allies carried out numerous diversionary operations hoping to deceive the Germans as to where and when the attack might come.  General George Patton was given command of a phantom army, across from Pas-de-Calais and they used fake equipment, fake transmissions, and more in this ruse.

On June 5, 1944, the original date of the invasion the weather was so bad Eisenhower was forced to make a command decision and delay the attack by 24 hours.  General Eisenhower made his impassioned and heartfelt speech to the troops saying, “You are about to embark on the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you.”  More than 5,000 ships and landing crafts carrying troops crossed the English Channel and over 11,000 aircraft participated in providing air cover and support.  It was a logistics nightmare of unbelievable proportions.

By the morning of June 6, 1944, several thousand paratroopers and glider troops were on the ground behind enemy lines having endured incredible difficulties and were busy securing bridges and exit roads.  The amphibious invasion began at 6:30 AM.  The British and Canadians overcame light opposition as they captured beaches code-named Gold, Juno, and Sword, and the American took Utah Beach.  However, U.S. troops faced heavy resistance on Omaha beach and over 2,000 Americans died that day.  By the end of the day, 156,000 Allied troops were ashore in Normandy and it is estimated that over 4,000 Allied troops paid the ultimate sacrifice.  In less than a week all the beaches were secured and more than 326,000 troops, 50,000 vehicles, and 100,000 tons of equipment had landed at Normandy.  The push for freedom was on powerfully!

The reports are that the Germans suffered confusion in their ranks and Rommel’s absence played a significant role.  Hitler, it is reported, believed the invasion was fake and the real assault would be on the Seine River causing him to refuse to release nearby divisions to launch a counter-offensive.  That cost him dearly.  Allied air support was devastating to the German defenses and the naval support helped protect the advancing Allied forces.  In the next few weeks, the Allied Forces had grown to over 850,000 men and 150,000 vehicles as they began their march across France and the ultimate Victory of Freedom.  Toward the end of August 1944, the Allies had reached the Seine River, Paris was liberated and Hitler was prevented from sending troops from France to defend against the Soviet assault from the East.

On May 8, 1945, the Allies formally accepted the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany and Hitler is reported to have committed suicide a week earlier on April 30, 1945.  Those who served and sacrificed to stop the assault of Freedom by Despotic Tyrants earns them my salute and a heartfelt thank you.  Today, we face an enemy in Islamic Terrorism and Jihadism as well as a full-frontal assault on or freedoms that will require the same resolve but sadly, many are seeking to appease the terrorist rather than defeat them.  Political correctness would have defeated the Allies in World War II and is defeating us today.  WHEN WILL WE WAKE UP AND STOP THE MADNESS?

God, bless you and God bless America!