68 years ago today......

[Pat Carry]

The Allies invaded the coast of France on D Day. Let us never forget the many sacrifices made on that day to keep the world free! God bless all those troops.

[6trn4brn]

I made the trip over to the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia to pay my respects. The crowds from the morning celebrations were mostly gone and I had the place to myself, mostly. Except for one older gentleman that I saw from a distance with an A-2 jacket on...had to meet him. Turned out that he was a B-24 pilot with 34 missions. He had a piece of flak in his pocket that a maintenance man had pulled out of his plane after one very scary mission...said his plane had more than 400 holes in it. Hit Berlin twice. Great man with great stories.

Another great man, Sgt Bob Slaughter, who was the impetus behind building the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, passed away last week. I had met him several times and was so glad that I had the privilege of listening to him tell his stories to other veterans that would come and sit with him under his tent every June 6 at the memorial. He will be sorely missed.

If ever you are in the area, a trip to the National D-Day Memorial is a must. Built on top of a hill, sitting behind an elementary school and the Blue Ridge mountains in the background. The beauty and serenity of the place contrast with the horrors that so many men faced. Such a moving place.

[6trn4brn]

Gonna try to post some pictures:

[6trn4brn]

One last one of Sgt Bob Slaughter and myself...date is wrong on picture...it was June 6, 2008. What a great man he was and will be sorely missed by all. He wrote a book (Omaha Beach and Beyond) that is a fascinating read. Landed on D-Day and made it all the way to Berlin.

[Chappie]

Great photos. One June 6, 2004 I was sitting with my father-in-law at their beach house watching a documentary on D-Day. I don't remember excatly what he said to me, but my repsonse was "Gilbert, how'd you know that?" He just quietly said to me- "Oh I drove a landing craft at Normandy. Not those right there (on the TV screen), I drove the big ones that carried the tanks." I was stunned! I began to ask more questions, he answered a few and then very skillfully got me off the subject. On the way home I asked my wife if she knew about her father being at Normandy on D-Day. She looked at me wided-eyed and said "What?! No I didn't. Dad never told us anything!" Over the rest of the summer I tried to get more information, but he would not talk about it.

He passed away on January 25, 2005. Since then I've done a little searching try to find his unit, ships, decorations, etc but cannot find anything. I need/want to dig harder but don't know where to go.


Chappie

[Woodsy Airfield]

Fine group of photos. I've often wondered about why I should be interested in a war long ago. I was born in the morning of June 7, 1942 - the day the Yorktown finally sank after the battle of Midway. I believe her sinking was also in the AM, but it looks like there is about 7 hours or so in time difference. Midway is just barely in the eastern zone as one is about to cross International Date Line heading west.
My being born on this date - certainly in no way - replaces those brave souls whom launched the aircraft and fought the battles that led to victory........
Leon

[gary1954]

One last one of Sgt Bob Slaughter and myself...date is wrong on picture...it was June 6, 2008. What a great man he was and will be sorely missed by all. He wrote a book (Omaha Beach and Beyond) that is a fascinating read. Landed on D-Day and made it all the way to Berlin.

May God Have Blessed this Warrior.
I would like the Bill of Rights and the Constitution of the United States, moved into a walk through area in the middle of Arlington. In such a location, if one wanted to see what should be precious to everyone, who wants freedom, then they must walk through the Garden of Stone to see the cost of our freedom, and the cost of keeping it.
from Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young....Find the cost of freedom buried in the ground, mother earth will swallow you...lay your body down...

When I hear someone mention D-Day, I often wonder if they know how many men were killed and drowned just training for the Invasion at Slapton Sands. If you don't know about that, check the link.

http://www.secondworldwar.org.uk/tiger1.html

[Pat Carry]

Thanks for the photos of the D Day Memorial. I must get there someday. It looks very cool. I just made a donation to the memorial in memory of Bob Slaughter. His book is a must read.

[6trn4brn]

Thank you for the comments on my pictures gentlemen. Gary...that is a wonderful idea indeed!

I am moved each time I go to the memorial. A couple of years ago, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Admiral Mullen, was there to meet and greet the D-Day and WW II veterans. Just awesome to watch him stop and shake the hand of an elderly gentleman, then intently listen as that veteran told him a bit of his story. Twice, Sgt Slaughter allowed me to sit under his tent with him and listen as he and other veterans shared their stores. Priceless memories for certain. Other times, when I have been there all by myself, I go down to the open area where the names of the fallen are on the plaques on the walls, surrounding me, and I listen. For what, I am not sure, but seeing the names of so many thousands of men who gave all they had...they are deserving of my silent respect.

Sorry for rambling,
Darrell

[Pat Carry]

Thank you for the comments on my pictures gentlemen. Gary...that is a wonderful idea indeed!

I am moved each time I go to the memorial. A couple of years ago, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Admiral Mullen, was there to meet and greet the D-Day and WW II veterans. Just awesome to watch him stop and shake the hand of an elderly gentleman, then intently listen as that veteran told him a bit of his story. Twice, Sgt Slaughter allowed me to sit under his tent with him and listen as he and other veterans shared their stores. Priceless memories for certain. Other times, when I have been there all by myself, I go down to the open area where the names of the fallen are on the plaques on the walls, surrounding me, and I listen. For what, I am not sure, but seeing the names of so many thousands of men who gave all they had...they are deserving of my silent respect.

Sorry for rambling,
Darrell

I saw no rambling. Just your thoughts about how you experienced the memorial. There is nothing wrong with that!

Last edited by Pat Carry on Fri Jun 08, 2012 4:54 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[CWBuff]

I saw no rambling. Just some great thoughts about how you experienced the memorial.

Ditto...

I hope to be able to visit the memorial myself one day... thanks for sharing your experience!


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