dday.org (great informational site)

dday.org ^ | june 56. 2-12

[doug from upland]

Welcome to the official site of the National D-Day Memorial. Located in Bedford, Virginia— the town suffering the highest per capita D-Day losses in the nation. The National D-Day Memorial honors the Allied forces that participated in the invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944 during World War II. With its stylized English Garden, haunting invasion tableau, and striking Victory Plaza, the Memorial stands as a powerful permanent tribute to the valor, fidelity, and sacrifice of D-Day participants. Surrounded by the beautiful majestic Blue Ridge mountains, this makes for a solemn and respectful tribute for our fallen heroes.

D_Day_memorial_imageVisitors can expect both an educational experience as well as an emotional one, as they walk the grounds at the Memorial and leave with a clear understanding of the scale and sacrifices made during the largest amphibious landing the world has ever seen. On June 6, 1944, 150,000 Allied troops landed along a 50-mile stretch of heavily-fortified French coastline to fight Nazi Germany on the beaches of Normandy, France. General Dwight D. Eisenhower called the operation a crusade in which “we will accept nothing less than full victory.” More than 5,000 ships and 11,000 aircraft supported the invasion, and by day’s end, the Allies gained a foot-hold in France. The D-Day cost was high with more than 9,000 Allied soldiers killed or wounded as the march across Europe to defeat Hitler began.

The Memorial is supported by contributions to the National D-Day Memorial Foundation a 501(c)(3) not-for profit organization.

[doug from upland]

[Islander7]

General Eisenhower - D Day Message

Never forget!!

[doug from upland]

FROM THE SITE It is hard to conceive the epic scope of this decisive battle that foreshadowed the end of Hitlers dream of Nazi domination. Overlord was the largest air, land, and sea operation undertaken before or since June 6, 1944. The landing included over 5,000 ships, 11,000 airplanes, and over 150,000 service men.

 After years of meticulous planning and seemingly endless training, for the Allied Forces, it all came down to this: The boat ramp goes down, then jump, swim, run, and crawl to the cliffs. Many of the first young men (most not yet 20 years old) entered the surf carrying eighty pounds of equipment. They faced over 200 yards of beach before reaching the first natural feature offering any protection. Blanketed by small-arms fire and bracketed by artillery, they found themselves in hell.

When it was over, the Allied Forces had suffered nearly 10,000 casualties; more than 4,000 were dead. Yet somehow, due to planning and preparation, and due to the valor, fidelity, and sacrifice of the Allied Forces, Fortress Europe had been breached.

[pennyfarmer]

Thanks for the post. I was part of the D-Day fleet that returned for the 50th anniversary and it was an amazing experience.

[Rummyfan]

Marking.....

[doug from upland]

What Does D-Day Mean?

The terms D-Day and H-Hour are used for the day and hour on which a combat attack or operation is to be initiated. They designate day and hour for an operation when the actual day and hour have not yet been determined or announced. The letters are derived from the words for which they stand, "D" for the day of the invasion and "H" for the hour the operation actually begins. When used in combination with figures and plus or minus signs, these terms indicate the length of time preceding or following a specific action. Thus, H-3 means 3 hours before H-hour, and D+3 means 3 days after D-day. H+75 minutes means H-hour plus 1 hour and 15 minutes. Planning papers for large-scale operations are made up in detail long before, specific dates are set. Phased orders are planned for execution on D-Day or H-Hour minus or plus a certain number of days, hours, or minutes. According to the U.S. Army's Center of Military History, the earliest known use of these terms is in Field Order Number 9, First Army, American Expeditionary Forces. It is dated September 7, 1918: "The first Army will attack at H hour on D day with the object of forcing the evacuation of the St. Mihiel Salient." D-Day for the invasion of Normandy was set for June 5, 1944, but it actually occurred on June 6. Therefore, D-Day, as it applies to Overlord, is June 6, 1944.

[China Clipper]

Nice find.

68 years today.

Will watch "Saving Private Ryan" again to commemorate those who fought, served and died for our freedom those many years ago today.

I have never served, but those first 15 minutes of that movie are the most incredible film sequences I have ever experienced in my home theater.

I can only wonder what it was like to really be there, and thank G*d for those who WERE there to carry out their duties.

[matthew fuller]

Thanks for the video. It has been sent to my mailing list.

[doug from upland]

Teacher lesson plans =

http://www.dday.org/teacher-resources/countdown-to-d-day-lesson-plan.html

[Perseverando]

Doug,

Thanks for the D-Day info. I was just there at the D-Day Memorial on Memorial Day this year with the wife and friends. What a tremendous memorial to the heroes of June 6, 1945.

[Humal]

pennyfarmer,
Thank you, sir, for your service to our country. I see pictures of the landing and read about the battle, and I don't know how anyone would have the courage to do it. My father was there too. His half-track was the 2nd to land on the beach my mother said. He died after returning home, and I was only 2 years old. I never really knew him.

[Humal]

Here is a site I found this morning. Found it interesting.

http://www.dday.org/programs/participant-identification-program.html