Take time out to remember them

[Lancs Se7en]

Last year we called in to Sainte Mere Eglise and then onto some of the D Day beaches. Very moving indeed to see what both sides endured during that time. My old man flew Libs and although he has gone now I still remember the few discussions that we had in his later years when he talked about the carnage and death on both sides.
He and many others gave us what we have today. If things had turned out differently then we may not be having this discussion. Who knows.

I for one will shed a tear or two in remembering all of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

[Fax]

Here's to the flyboys...

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[gibberish]

Chap I worked with many years ago (as an apprentice) turned out to have a "who gives a f**k" attitude to work, due to his experice in Lancasters in WWII.

Turns out that he was a tail gunner, the average life expectancy of which was 3 missions.  (thats 3 flights).

He ended up doing 3 tours of duty as a tail gunner, each tour being 30 ops (flights).  That's 90 ops, and he survived!!!!  I can't imagine the horrors that he saw in that time, but it must have been some sort of mind bending experience.

What the hell do you relate to after that?

[skorpio]

  My father was amongst the first "wave" of men that went into Sword beach on D Day, he came back, thankfully, but something like 70% of his unit are still there, I made a promise to him that I would commemerate  his comrades for him, { he wouldn't go back again, meet me and I'll tell you why   not nice, believe me} it took me a few years to find their graves, I've laid a wreath once and will do so again, this year and as for as long as I can  , the images in my mind that he gave me will live with me for the rest of my life, [not just of D-Day, but of the entire war, he served in all theatres of the war   ]  if we don't remember themALL  then it was all wasted, both sides had men that were fanatics, (talk to, and listen to, men that were there, the germans weren't the only ones that did atrocities, so did the allies, I have images in my mind {from my father} of things carried out by the allies,  so don't think everything was one sided)
  Sorry but this whole subject   hurts I've spent too many nights with images of the whole war in my mind, and with promises made that are hard to fulfill, they'll be done, but it's not easy,


  excuse the rant, just had to say it  

[Dave H]

Ironically, it's Memorial Day today in the US.  I passed on heading to the Brickyard (which is finally running after much rain delay) but this weekend is obviously a big reminder of the sacrafices made.  I think the best way to honor those who lost their lives in the World Wars is to be aware of the way we can live now based on their efforts.  We used to meet-up with some crazy German guys every year at the track and have a right old serious session.  I remember on the 50th anniversary thinking how those brave men on all sides of the conflict would have felt to know that what they were doing was worth something - that the world would be returned to a place where 50 years later we were firing champagne corks at each other instead of lead.  So if you want to honor the dead, find yourself in thought for just a moment during the mayhem and tip a glass to them at some point in the weekend.

Cheers

[Pidgeon]

      If you can, take the opportunity to see the Pegasus Bridge Museum and the Arramonches Museum. Both of these areas were liberated by the Brits and Canadians.
      Being an American old enough to remember D-Day and all of WWII, I was overwhelmed when I visited Omaha Beach, Point Du Hoc and particularly the American Cemetery with its 9000+ graves.
       My father's brother was with the American 29th Division (one of the Yanks who were 'over paid, over sexed and over here' ... In England) who landed on the Normandy shores on D-Day. he survived and after the war he and my dad worked together. I still remember once when a high speed train suddenly passed by and my uncle jumped under our truck, the look in his eyes was something I still cannot forget.
     I grew up with several guys who fought in Korea. My best friend died in battle in Korea in 1951. So I, in my old age, can remember WWII, Korea, Nam, Desert Storm and now Afghanistan and Iraq. I may not like why we are there, but I will support any and all of the military for doing what they do for me.
                TO THE VETERANS OF ALL WARS.

[Dave H]

Well said Pidge

[MrRS2babe]

although living in Brittany me and Mrs RS2 have never ventured up to Normandy beaches to view this scene and have always put it on our "must do" list. reading these posts ensures it will be done sooner rather than later.
We have American friends in our village who inform us that you can "sponsor" a grave (which they do) of unknown soldiers which generally means visiting it and placing flowers etc and contributing to its upkeep.

I think we will do the same...

well said everyone.

[nopanic - neil]

Drove on a classic car run from London to Euro Disney over 11 years ago, part of the route took us through fields and fields of white crosses.

I always thought that when politicians sit down to talk about war, all the politicians should sit in the middle of one of these fields and look around and then listen.

To all who went and those who did not come back - I'll raise a glass in France and say cheers.

Thank you.

[Fax]

On Sunday, many NPR radio stations over here are, for ten hours, replaying original radio broadcast's of the invasion of the Normandy coast on June 6, 1944.  Any rememberances of the Second World War  bring up very poingant memories for my family. My Grandfather was in the US Marine Corps during the thick of the Pacific campaign against the Japanese and was very badly wounded in the fight for Iwo Jima, suffering wounds that never fully healed both physically and emotionally.
Fax

[Dave H]

although living in Brittany me and Mrs RS2 have never ventured up to Normandy beaches to view this scene and have always put it on our "must do" list.
I think we will do the same...

I'd strongly suggest you do it.  It's one of the more moving experiences you'll ever have.  To see those gun inplacements is breathtaking.  Really makes you realize the horrific scenes that must have unfolded down there on those beaches.

I remember the first time I visited the Vietnam memorial wall in Washington DC.  It was truly shocking to see 60,000 names on those walls.  Such as waste of life.

The new WWII memorial there looks incredible.

[Simes]

My parents live 10km away from the Normandy beaches, it is quite awesome to think whilst swimming in the sea at what has happened here in the past.

There are leftovers from that Day especially at Arromanches and many other spots along the coast, many of which I've got used to seeing but haven't really paid much attention too.



At the moment all the roads leading to the beaches from roughly 15km in land, are closed due to the trouble GW Bush brings with him.

[Robbo SPS]

I have just returned from a small event at Portsmouth seafront. The Brittany Ferry ship Normandie is full of War Veterans going to Normandy , and they had an escort from Period Small ships , A War ship from UK, canada, Australia and USA, plus  a flying escort of 2 Spitfires and a Lancaster bomber.

I have posted a piccy, but will put them on my website, if anyone is interested, i can post up a link.

From everything i saw today

I was humbled.

[gibberish]

Link to piccies please Robbo  

[Stu]

Get the pics up Robbo. Absolutely Brilliant.