SIX MINUTES!!
Sixty years ago at this time, jumpers were chuting up and along with glidermen, preparing to load aircraft for the opening of long awaited Western Offensive against the Axis.
STAND UP!!
GEN Eisenhower spoke to the soldiers, you can hear his statement read at the below link.
http://www.eisenhower.archives.gov/d...edayaudio.html
"The D-Day operation of June 6, 1944 brought together the land, air and sea forces of the allied armies in what became known as the largest invasion force in human history. The operation, given the codename OVERLORD, delivered five naval assault divisions to the beaches of Normandy, France. The beaches were given the codenames UTAH, OMAHA, GOLD, JUNO and SWORD. The invasion force included 7,000 ships and landing craft manned by over 195,000 naval personnel from eight allied countries. Almost 133,000 troops from England, Canada and the United States landed on D-Day. Casualties from the three countries during the landing numbered 10,300. By June 30th, over 850,000 men, 148,000 vehicles, and 570,000 tons of supplies had landed on the Normandy shores. Fighting by the brave soldiers, sailors and airmen of the allied forces western front and Russian forces on the eastern front led to the defeat of German Nazi forces. On May 7, 1945, German General Alfred Jodl signed an unconditional surrender at Reims, France."
HOOK UP!!
These men were young then, and brave. Despite being scattered all over the area by the AAF, they did their nation's bidding, and took the war to the enemy courageously, without complaint, in many cases at the cost of their own lives.
CHECK STATIC LINE!
Now the survivors are old, some still suffering from their injuries in those battles. We have finally dedicated a memorial to them, about 35 years later than we should, but it is a good step.
CHECK EQUIPMENT!
I would like to take this moment to say that on behalf of all of the Quiet Professionals and guests here, we salute you and honor you on this day.
SOUND OFF FOR EQUIPMENT CHECK!
At least in that moment, we didn't have to listen to our European allies complain about us sticking our noses into other nations' affairs.
STAND IN THE DOOR!
I don't know about the rest of you, but I plan to pop "The Longest Day" and "Saving Private Ryan" into the player tonight/tomorrow, and tip a glass to these brave Americans.
GO!
RIP to those who fell, and cheers to those who made it. You truly were a Great Generation.
DOL-
TR