Sixty Three Years Ago Today…June 6, 1944

Sixty Three Years Ago Today…June 6, 1944

Wednesday, June 06, 2007 2:31 PM

Special day for me.  My Dad was shot down over Normandy as he flew over the area dropping off paratroopers.  He was the  guy in charge of making sure all the men got off and out.  When they got hit, my Dad and the co-pilot got the dead and wounded out of the plane.  Then my Dad pushed the co-pilot out.  He then went to the cockpit and latched onto the pilot, dragged him aft, hooked him up and pushed him out.  My Dad was the last man out.

Obviously, my Dad survived the ordeal and after 3 days walking around France with his 45 at the ready,  he found a British contingent and made it back to England after about a week.

Yes,  today is a special day to me and the rest of the world.

Great Video Here (FDR’s prayer in the audio)

There is a fantastic article here written about the invasion of Normandy and other beaches and discusses what “might have been” had emotions gotten the better part of valor and mission accomplishments.

What if American and Allied Forces withdrew from France when the going got really rough and what similarities can be drawn today?

FDR’s Prayer, delivered June 6, 1944

My Fellow Americans:

Last night, when I spoke with you about the fall of Rome, I knew at that moment that troops of the United States and our Allies were crossing the Channel in another and greater operation. It has come to pass with success thus far.

And so, in this poignant hour, I ask you to join with me in prayer:

Almighty God: Our sons, pride of our nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion, and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity.

Lead them straight and true; give strength to their arms, stoutness to their hearts, steadfastness in their faith.

They will need Thy blessings. Their road will be long and hard. For the enemy is strong. He may hurl back our forces. Success may not come with rushing speed, but we shall return again and again; and we know that by Thy grace, and by the righteousness of our cause, our sons will triumph.

They will be sore tried, by night and by day, without rest — until the victory is won. The darkness will be rent by noise and flame. Men’s souls will be shaken with the violences of war.

For these men are lately drawn from the ways of peace. They fight not for the lust of conquest. They fight to end conquest. They fight to liberate. They fight to let justice arise, and tolerance and goodwill among all Thy people. They yearn but for the end of battle, for their return to the haven of home.

Some will never return. Embrace these, Father, and receive them, Thy heroic servants, into Thy kingdom.

And for us at home — fathers, mothers, children, wives, sisters, and brothers of brave men overseas, whose thoughts and prayers are ever with them — help us, Almighty God, to rededicate ourselves in renewed faith in Thee in this hour of great sacrifice.

Many people have urged that I call the nation into a single day of special prayer. But because the road is long and the desire is great, I ask that our people devote themselves in a continuance of prayer. As we rise to each new day, and again when each day is spent, let words of prayer be on our lips, invoking Thy help to our efforts.

Give us strength, too — strength in our daily tasks, to redouble the contributions we make in the physical and the material support of our armed forces.

And let our hearts be stout, to wait out the long travail, to bear sorrows that may come, to impart our courage unto our sons wheresoever they may be.

And, O Lord, give us faith. Give us faith in Thee; faith in our sons; faith in each other; faith in our united crusade. Let not the keeness of our spirit ever be dulled. Let not the impacts of temporary events, of temporal matters of but fleeting moment — let not these deter us in our unconquerable purpose.

With Thy blessing, we shall prevail over the unholy forces of our enemy. Help us to conquer the apostles of greed and racial arrogances. Lead us to the saving of our country, and with our sister nations into a world unity that will spell a sure peace — a peace invulnerable to the schemings of unworthy men. And a peace that will let all of men live in freedom, reaping the just rewards of their honest toil.

Thy will be done, Almighty God.

Amen.

Franklin D. Roosevelt – June 6, 1944

 

GREAT piece on this day by Victor Davis Hanson

Honoring Military Sacrifices

Honoring Military Sacrifices

Monday, May 28, 2007 10:49 PM

Honoring Military Sacrifices

Marine General Peter Pace talks to Harry Smith about the sacrifices our troops are making overseas so that we can enjoy our freedom. Americans remember them this Memorial Day.

Click here to view video

CBS disallowed the copy.

Laying of The Wreath

Laying of The Wreath

Monday, May 28, 2007 10:24 PM

 WASHINGTON, D.C., May 28, 2007

---

President Bush lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns, marking Memorial Day, May 28, 2007, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak) Quote “Those who serve are not fatalists or cynics. They know that one day this war will end — as all wars do. Our duty is to ensure that its outcome justifies the sacrifices made by those who fought and died in it.” President George W. Bush

“Those who serve are not fatalists or cynics,” he added. “They know that one day this war will end, as all wars do. Our duty is to make sure this war was worth the sacrifice” and that the fighting men and women succeeded — and “where tyrants and terrorists are frustrated and foiled … where our nation is more secure from attack.”

“This is our country’s calling,” Mr. Bush said. “It’s our country’s destiny.”

CBS News

A Day of Remembrance

A Day of Remembrance

Sunday, May 27, 2007 10:08 PM

 “Here Rests
In Honored Glory
An American Soldier
Known But To God”

Honor Guard Patch, Tomb Honor Guard Badge and Old Guard Crest
All Courtesy of the Third United States Infantry Regiment (“The Old Guard.”)

The Sentinels Creed

My dedication to this sacred duty is total and wholehearted.
In the responsibility bestowed on me never will I falter.
And with dignity and perseverance my standard will remain perfection.
Through the years of diligence and praise and the discomfort of the elements,
I will walk my tour in humble reverence to the best of my ability.
It is he who commands the respect I protect.
His bravery that made us so proud.
Surrounded by well meaning crowds by day alone in the thoughtful peace of night,
this soldier will in honored glory rest under my eternal vigilance.

Honoring The Dead Of Unknown
As Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. said in his Memorial Day address in 1884 at Keene, Memorial Day ‘celebrates and solemnly reaffirms from year to year a national act of enthusiasm and faith.’ With changing times, Memorial Day is more celebrated as a holiday than the glum occasion it was meant for. We must remember that the day means to honor of America’s defense personnel who lost their lives in various wars. Though, people used to honor the graves of the war dead even before the Civil War, the National Memorial Day holiday, originally known as ‘Decoration Day’ was first observed on May 30, 1868.

The concept originated in the mind of General John Alexander Logan, who dedicated this day to decorate the graves of the American Civil War dead. Later, it encompassed all those who sacrificed their lives for their nation, from the Revolutionary War to the present. May 30th every year was celebrated as the Memorial Day until 1971. Later, the federal government issued the orders of holding the Memorial Day on the last Monday of May. Alabama celebrates Confederate Memorial Day on the fourth Monday in April while the states of Mississippi and Georgia celebrate it on the last Monday of April.

Seeing the Memorial Day losing its importance in the minds of younger generations, the concept of the National Moment of Remembrance was hatched by a national humanitarian organizations known as the ‘No Greater Love, based in Washington, D.C. It was introduced in 1997 and is recognized by the President and Members of Congress. Since then, ‘Taps’ is at 3 p.m. throughout America to honor the contributions of our dead soldiers. All Americans are encouraged to pay respect to them by keeping silent for one minute in their memory at 3:00 p.m.

For Family…

For Family…

Sunday, May 27, 2007 5:39 PM

…God and Country…Hail to The Heroes.

Honoring Our Troops

Honoring Our Troops…

Sunday, May 27, 2007 4:31 PM

…wherever they are now; wherever they have been; wherever they shall go.

Happy Memorial Day To My Brother

Happy Memorial Day To My Brother

Sunday, May 27, 2007 2:48 AM

Jimmy, if you can see these,  this is your nephew,  my son,  following in our footsteps.  May God above watch over him.

MJ…keep your damn head down over there with The Screamin’ Eagles.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day

Friday, May 25, 2007 4:11 PM

“I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” —Nathan Hale “[G]ather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with choicest flowers of springtime…. [L]et us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us as sacred charges upon the Nation’s gratitude, the soldier’s and sailor’s widow and orphan.” –General John Logan, General Order No. 11, 5 May 1868 Memorial Day is reserved by American Patriots as a day to honor the service and sacrifice of fallen men and women who donned our Armed Forces uniforms with honor. We at The Patriot pay our humble respects to those that gave the ultimate sacrifice as members of the U.S. Armed Forces. We will remember you always. Accordingly, this tribute is in honor of our fallen American Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coastguardsmen. One appropriate way to recognize fallen veterans and their families is to join with others and help place flags on the graves of fallen Patriots at your nearest National Cemetery (generally done the Saturday before Memorial Day). Please join Patriots honoring Memorial Day across our great nation on Monday by observing a minute of silence at 1500 local time for remembrance and prayer. Flags should be flown at half-staff until noon, local time. Please give a personal word of gratitude and comfort to surviving family members who grieve for a beloved warrior fallen in battlefields defending our cherished liberties. General George Patton insisted, “It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.” Founding Patriot John Adams said: “I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasure that it will cost to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the gloom I can see the rays of ravishing light and glory. I can see that the end is worth more than all the means….” Indeed it is! Please pray for our Patriot Armed Forces standing in harm’s way around the world, and for their families — especially families of those, who have given their life in defense of American liberty, while prosecuting the war with Jihadistan. Semper Vigilo, Fortis, Paratus, et Fidelis! Mark Alexander, Publisher, for The Patriot’s editors and staff. (For The Patriot’s tribute to our Armed Forces, see “To Support and Defend … So Help Me God.”)

A Post From Long Ago…

A Post From Long Ago…

Saturday, March 24, 2007 6:31 AM

 

I Made this post last year around Memorial Day and thought it appropriate to repost it here. It may not be Memorial Day but it is appropriate:

Greetings fellow fun seekers…

I don’t want anyone to get the wrong idea nor think I have lost my marbles…

Of all the Holidays, I, at one time, loved this one coming up the most and, yes, even better than Christmas. However, today, in this time of despicable tirades of the Socialists among us, and with the commercialization of such a “holiday”, it sickens me beyond belief.

Remembering Fallen Comrades In Arms is a private thing to me, to be shared with others that know and understand.

Remembering those I carried out, and those that carried me…remembering those that followed me, and those I followed, very few can relate.

I hear the Empty Words from the Senaterrorists in DC, the Lack of Representatives in The House and I am not proud to call them Our Leaders, for they know NOT how to Lead We The People.

There is a majority of “them” that are sincere. It is the remaining that I despise, nay, loathe…perhaps hate them for their cowardice “under fire”. Playing Lip Service to The Fallen is much worse than paying no homage at all.

I weep for my lads that died. I weep for the lads that lived through thick and thicker. I weep for the parts of me that have died and my soul cries out for vengeance.

Rise Ye Silent Ones and Fight For That Which Is Right or Die The Losers’ Death of Vanity.