Loki Loc: Georgia

On this day in 1944, the greatest invasion in history took place as the Allies invaded "Fortress Europe."

Gold. Juno. Sword. Utah, and the most famous of all, Omaha Beach.
Five strips of sand in France where history was made.

Consider the following D-Day facts:

Until the very last minute, the place of invasion - Normandy - was the most heavily guarded secret on the planet.
Even the units conducting the initial assaults did not know the locations of their landings.
Surprise was crucial since Germany had 55 divisions in France - the Allies could transport no more than 8 divisions on D-Day morning.
It is estimated that nearly 2 million soldiers, sailors and airmen were involved in Operation Overlord, including U.S., British, and Canadians who were scheduled to fight after men on the ground secured a Normandy bridgehead.
195,000 naval personnel manned 6,939 naval vessels (including 1,200 warships and 15 hospital ships).
About 17 million maps supported the mission.
Training maps used fake names.
The United States shipped 7 million tons of supplies (that translates into 14 billion pounds of material).
Of those supplies, ammunition accounted for 448,000 tons.
Air-support operations - often overlooked in the success of D-Day - sustained significant losses: Between the 1st of April and the 5th of June, 1944, the Allies flew 14,000 missions losing 12,000 airmen and 2,000 aircraft.
127 more planes were lost on D-Day.
By the end of the Normandy campaign, 28,000 airmen were dead.
Instead of two days, it took Germany's 2nd Waffen SS Division two weeks to reach the front. Allied air power, Eisenhower's spies and French Resistance contacts all contributed to that result.
There are 9,386 graves in the American cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer. Each grave faces west, toward America.
307 of those graves contain the remains of "unknown" soldiers.
1,557 names are listed in The Garden of the Missing for those who were never found.
4,868 British dead are buried in the Bayeux Cemetery.
1,837 British names are listed at Bayeux for those who were never found.
There were 946 Canadian casualties in the Normandy campaign.
21,500 German dead are buried at LaCambe.

Normandy. Sixty one years ago, the Greatest Generation made it's mark in history. God bless, and God Speed.

And Thank You.

bmac32 Loc: West Florida

And I wish my dad were still alive to thank him so instead I will thank those whom are here that served.

THANK YOU and GOD BLESS!

BearK Loc: TN

A sad fact is that those exceptional men are dying off at the rate of one a day, no doubt soon they will all be memories. Also, so sad, our school curriculum is no longer giving them the coverage they so deserve.

I recognized the date, and that is why I looked. Thank you to all who serve, and those now serving. May God return to America, to morals, and decency.

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

Every year since the 70's I called a Family friend who was a survivor of Omaha Beach to thank him...until he died several years ago. Then, I continued calling his wife, frequently, to extend my thanks. Sadly, she passed away recently. I have no more personal contacts physically connected to that memorial day. However, I still pause for reflection to thank all those who were involved with the Normandy invasion and the retaking of Europe. May they each rest in peace. Heroes, everyone one of them.

Anyone who questions the price of sacrifice, watch 'Saving Private Ryan,' especially the first half hour or so...IMO, the best movie ever made of that event. 8-)

Loki Loc: Georgia

My uncle was at Utah Beach, which wasn't the meatgrinder that Omaha was.

PoppaGringo Loc: Muslim City, Mexifornia, B.R.

It appears another mighty invasion will be required to rid the world of ISIS and its brother organizations. However, it will never happen with Obama or a Hitlery at the helm. I do not like war, nor wish it, but there comes a time when it is the only alternative to peace.

BearK Loc: TN

Particularly when you are dealing with savages.