We must never forget... [View all]
Eighty years ago today, June 6th, 1944, the largest amphibious invasion in recorded history began, signaling the Allied invasion to free Europe from the jackboot of fascism. Army, naval, and air forces from the United States, Great Britain, and Canada all took part in the amphibious assault, while the air forces of Great Britain and the United States dropped airborne troops behind German lines for the purpose of securing and/or destroying roads, bridges, and railroads.
Despite heavy losses, the Allied forces would not be driven back into the sea by the Germans, who attempted desperately to do so. In the eleven months to follow, the Allies would liberate France, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, and Czechoslovakia, before finally defeating the Germans.
I know that these facts seem like ancient history to almost everyone under the age of 50, but to us "Boomers", they were the recent past, rather than ancient history. Our fathers, our uncles, our aunts, cousins, and even, occasionally, older siblings were the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and defense workers, were the people who fought and sometimes died in the war. We heard firsthand accounts of their lives and battles and, for the most part, we could ask them questions and get answers.
What they did must never be forgotten, and neither should the reasons that they did so. Freedom is a priceless gift, and we must remember and honor those who willingly paid the price to secure it.
--CCD
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