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hearing eisenhower’s words, knowing their historic and utterly profound context, makes me want to join the service…though ive already determined id serve the public in a political capacity…hearing that message, knowing what was happening…knowing that there are still good fights that need fighting…its enough to make you the fighting type.
My personal favorite…from Eleanor Roosevelt…as applicable today as it was 65 years ago.
“Dear Lord,
Lest I continue
My complacent way,
Help me to remember that somewhere,
Somehow out there
A man died for me today.
As long as there be war,
I then must
Ask and answer
Am I worth dying for?”
Context matters. D-Day was the beginning of the assualt on the Germans in their own backyard after years of warfare. D-Day was a pivotal moment and every American knew it.
FDR prayed. WWOD (what would Obama do?) My guess is the filthy liar in the White House would call a press conference to tell world what a great guy he was and blame
Hoover for causing WWII.
Im shocked that FDR didnt appologize to Germany for having to invade France in 1944 and persecute a war against Germany even though it never attacked the US at Pearl Harbor.
Full text of Roosevelt’s D-Day Prayer at Newt.org:
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 keenness 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.
I can’t help but notice what a contrast it draws between Eleanor Roosevelt and our current First Lady, who recently said that she, like most Americans (according to her), had never really given much thought to the sacrifices that our military families have to make. Gives us a pretty good idea of the kind of Americans Michelle’s been associating with (not that we didn’t know that already). No wonder she’d never been proud of her country before. She’d never bothered to know her country.
My father served in the Navy before/during WWII and enlisted in the Army during the Korean War. One of his ships was hours outside of Pearl Harbor when Japan attacked and later offered crucial support in the long battle of Guadalcanal. Another ship on which he served was off the coast of Normandy 65 years ago.
By far, he told me, D-Day was the single most momentous event of his life — the casualties, the desperate need to turn the tide against Hitler, the intense sense of higher purpose and brotherhood, the determination to sacrifice all for mankind. Before he died in 1987, we watched Reagan’s 40th anniversary speech together. I don’t remember seeing my father cry before that day, but tears streamed down his cheeks — and still he could not talk about everything he had witnessed.
Each American generation produces heroes who answer the call to give all, not knowing what they will face or when if ever they will return. My parents married 5 months after D-Day and started a family after the war. I am a product of the baby boom and was blessed with a father of amazing character. Many husbands, fathers, potential husbands and fathers never returned. For me and many others, I’m sure, the anniversary of D-Day is Thanksgiving in June.
A man in my life and the lives of others
a wwII pacific bomber veteran is sick and becoming visibly worse as the weeks go by
keep him in your prayers thanks
Goodnight
blatantblue on June 6, 2009 at 10:05 PM
Given your life and needs, you will not be able to devote as much time to him as you might want. Forgive yourself for this, and cherish every moment you can give.
Each moment you give is a great gift. Bless you. You are both in my prayers.
One of the reasons that so many went to fight for the freedom of others, and to protect this nation……….
…….. is that American History was actually taught in schools.
Not this ‘multi-cultural’ bullshit that blames every wrong in the world on the one country that has done so much good…….
………. Have we had problems, yes, but we have done our best to correct them to our own demise.
God Bless the United States of America, and those who served, and serve today that leave our shores never to return……….
………. and to President Barack Obama, the time will come to where you will not be honored. You walk on the deeds of others, you diminish what makes this country strong, and you apologize for what greater men and women than you died for.
Seven Percent Solution on June 6, 2009 at 10:29 PM
A way to honor these brave men who went into the heart of battle knowing they will most likely be sacrificing their lived for their country is to continue to fight against the tyrannical fascism that is creeping across our landscape today, spreading from Washington D.C. to every small space in this country until no freedoms are left unpunished.
Fight. Remember who you are fighting, who you are fighting for, and who made it possible for you to fight today.
Don’t let these men and women of history down. Don’t be the ones that let your country slip away into a socialist, communist, tyranny at the hands of a narcissistic madman.
If you are to be remembered as the people that let this happen, all those that fought before you will be forgot.
FDR prayed. WWOD (what would Obama do?) My guess is the filthy liar in the White House would call a press conference to tell world what a great guy he was and blame Hoover for causing WWII.
highhopes on June 6, 2009 at 10:11 PM
The idiot messiah would still be crying about how Germany hadn’t attacked us and how we waged a war of choice in North Africa, where no one was threatening the US.
FDR’s open invocation of God ( and please we know that the God he is talking about is Judeo Christian – “our united crusade”) reminds me that his social justice programs had more than a heavy dose of Christian morality to it.
When i see people like Christoper Hitchens and other ACLU types crying hoarse about the separation of Church and State and how some of the Founding Fathers are deist.. blah.. blah, i crack up – did these wise men ever hear of a certain FDR ?
How did the Democrat party come to this ? Can you even imagine what the ACLU would have done if Bush used the exact same language while sending troops for the surge ?
God Bless the Greatest Generation – as Churchill said of the RAF, the same could be said for every American soldier who fought to save the wotld from such unbearable EVIL
Never Before have so many been so grateful for so much to so few (relatively speaking about numbers ofcourse)
Allahpundit, thank you very much for your post tonight.
There are so many things that divide us in the moment, and perhaps such controversies are what draw the most attention.
But there are far more important things that unite us.
Many of us do not have the means to fight in battle for Liberty. Some of us can only lend support from afar. Some hold the hand of a wounded or dying veteran. Others fight for Liberty with our words.
Bless all of you who do your part in your own way.
The soldier stood and faced his God Which must always come to pass…
He hoped his shoes were shining Just as brightly as his brass.
“Step forward now, you soldier, How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek? To My Church have you been true?”
The soldier squared his shoulders and Said,”No, Lord, I guess I ain’t…
Because those of us who carry guns Can’t always be a saint.
I’ve had to work most Sundays And at times my talk was tough,
And sometimes I’ve been violent, Because the streets are awfully tough.
But, I never took a penny That wasn’t mine to keep…
Though I worked a lot of overtime When the bills got just too steep,
And I never passed a cry for help, Though at times I shook with fear,
And sometimes, God forgive me, I’ve wept unmanly tears.
I know I don’t deserve a place Among the people here…
They never wanted me around Except to calm their fears.
If you’ve a place for me here, Lord, It needn’t be so grand,
I never expected or had too much, But if you don’t, I’ll understand.”
There was a silence all around the throne Where the saints had often trod…
As the soldier waited quietly, For the judgment of his God,
“Step forward now you soldier,
Walk peacefully on Heaven’s streets,
You’ve done your time in Hell.”
And so it goes. Like General Motors, America is “too big to fail.” So it won’t, not immediately. It will linger on in a twilight existence, sclerotic and ineffectual, declining unto a kind of societal dementia, unable to keep pace with what’s happening and with an ever more tenuous grip on its own past, but able on occasion to throw out impressive words albeit strung together without much meaning: empower, peace, justice, prosperity – just to take one windy gust from the president’s Cairo speech.
There’s better phrase-making in the current issue of Foreign Affairs, in a coinage of Leslie Gelb, president emeritus of the Committee on Foreign Relations. The president emeritus is a sober, judicious paragon of torpidly conventional wisdom. Nevertheless, musing on American decline, he writes, “The country’s economy, infrastructure, public schools and political system have been allowed to deteriorate. The result has been diminished economic strength, a less-vital democracy, and a mediocrity of spirit.” That last is the one to watch: A great power can survive a lot of things, but not “a mediocrity of spirit.” A wealthy nation living on the accumulated cultural capital of a glorious past can dodge its rendezvous with fate, but only for a while. That sound you heard in Cairo is the tingy ping of a hollow superpower.
- Mark Steyn
And I need to add my thanks to Allah for these great addresses. Every American should listen to them, though I’m sure that they would never be allowed in public schools, these days.
I’ll also add a “thank you” to AP for these thoughts on this day. From our nation’s founding, faith has been important to many, but a respect for individual beliefs and preferences has also been part of what has set us apart.
Notice that FDR prayed in a style familiar to many Christians, but was careful to be inclusive as well.
May we all live worthy of those who sacrificed so much.
Thanks for the Reagan link, canopfor. Awesome speech. Where was I when he originally gave it? I had just graduated from college and had no interest in current events. To my shame, I missed so much of what was happening all around me.
God bless our fallen, our veterans, and the living defenders of our nation. God bless their families.
I think about those men preparing to storm the beaches of Normandy, and I wonder if our memories might somehow touch their dreams, as they looked forward and thought of us: the children and grandchildren they would bring into the world if they lived, or leave behind if the Longest Day was their last day. Their courage is the soil upon which the future grew. I wonder if it would have comforted them to know it would be such a bright and wondrous future, in which their grandchildren would swim in rivers of light and knowledge, walk upon the moon, and look beyond the lunar horizon into the infinite. If our grandfathers could somehow see us as clearly as we can see them, would they ask us why we don’t do more with the advantages we have been given? Would they spare a moment to marvel at what they could do with the ability to circle the globe in a day, or bring vast libraries instantly onto their desks?
On D-Day, a hundred and sixty thousand men charged into the valley of the shadow of death, not just for their own freedom, but to make other men free. They crossed the ocean that would have kept them safe from the Third Reich for years, and threw down the gates of Fortress Europe. Six months later, the veterans of Normandy would huddle in the frozen forests of Bastogne, dying from frostbite and German artillery, while eighty thousand of their fellow Americans fell around them in the Battle of the Bulge… and the survivors of Bastogne would spend the rest of their lives insisting they had no need of rescue.
Ten months after Normandy, the Allies reached Buchenwald, and the men who took Normandy learned beyond question that on D-Day they stormed not just a fortress, but a torture chamber and abbatoir. They had looked not only Death, but also the devil, in the eye… and it was Death and the devil who blinked.
The men of Operation Overlord are still with us today. They walk the streets of Iraq, and climb the mountains of Afghanistan, with younger faces and better guns. Every American flag is the flag they raised over Omaha Beach. Every day an American soldier walks into harm’s way, for the freedom of all mankind… or uses his body to shield the children of his “enemies” from shrapnel… is D-Day.
Its sad that freedoms so hard fought for over 60 years ago are now so freely given away or taken for granted by the “ME first” generation.
William Amos on June 6, 2009 at 10:44 PM
I confess that I too get depressed at times by the narcissism of our contemporary culture, so well personified by our current president.
Perhaps stories of selflessness and simply acts of patriotism are not popular in the media these days, but when you come across any good ones, please share them with us. They help.
Perhaps stories of selflessness and simply acts of patriotism are not popular in the media these days, but when you come across any good ones, please share them with us. They help.
well, i hear both you and mark, but the sound in cario, to me, was a small man overreaching yet again — flailing and drifting after just a few months. we’re bigger than him, and we are coming to that realization — and days like today serve as a wonderful reminder of it …
I am a product of the baby boom and was blessed with a father of amazing character. Many husbands, fathers, potential husbands and fathers never returned. For me and many others, I’m sure, the anniversary of D-Day is Thanksgiving in June.
Terrie on June 6, 2009 at 10:27 PM
Thanks for taking the time to knock out your entire comment. It was very well done.
read the blog Blackfive often. he is constantly highlighting acts of valor, character, and substance from our servicemembers and their families. don’t let the s.r.m. color your thoughts, there’s a solid REASON the times, post, etc. are in their death throes, the future belongs to the new media, not to them …
Because the republicans drew sane patriotic folks with conservative values and the demoRATF**KS had to seek a different clientele. Because of their inability to draw large blocks of Americans to their banner, they chose to woo the minority dredges of our society to rally to them. The militants, the commies, the liberals, the racists, stupid youths, etc, etc, etc. Each group very small, but together a large block of supporters.
canopfor,
Thank you so much for providing the link to Reagan’s speech – it was so poignant and such an amazing tribute – tears were flowing down my face.
jmo, but there are two groups that make up the donk party today. 1. [smaller in size but inordinately in the leadership] the statist true believers — they are our domestic enemy and will be very difficult to persuaded; they pretty much need to be defeated. 2. [large in size but inordinately the rank and file] the “traditional” donk voting blocs [minorities, union members, lower incomes, etc. etc.] these are the folks that either don’t realize how horribly their party has drifted off course and/or don’t care. THESE are the ones that elected RWR back in the day. conversely, they went for zero for whatever reason. THESE are the ones that the curent gop leadership [oxymoron alert!] must speak to and hold on to come 12+ months from now …
/difficult? yes. impossible? ABSOLUTELY NOT. it takes better messaging from steele, better manuvering by mitch m., john b. and the boyz, and better words and actions by the governors …
Wow…that was already 65 years ago. Amazing that the last Civil War vet to pass away was in 1959; I wonder how long these WWII guys will last? All those amazing stories from a different era, before tv and Elvis and video games.
Lox
You are right
I can’t spend as much time eith him as I like
I met him three years ago he is the grandfather I have even tho we aren’t related
he is very sick I love him so much
Blah sorry
I want to interview him soon to get him to relate his experiences on video
He’s a fcking great american
blatantblue on June 6, 2009 at 10:39 PM
Hi Blatantblue, I never comment, usually just read, but I had to let you know we both know someone in common– I spoke with “Dominic” at the VFW hall (you have a picture and write up on your blog back in December — you posted a link to the protest write-up on hotair a while back)…I met him through a special family friend — she lost her WWII vet husband last August 2008. She belongs to the VFW as did her husband who was friends with Dominic. I spoke with Dominic on Memorial Day weekend and told him he was “famous” on a blog…YOURS! I told him how highly you spoke of him and I mentioned your name (on your blog). His eyes lit up and he said you are a great kid! Not only has he left a good impression on you, but you left a good impression on him. I think he’d LOVE to see your blog post with him in it, but doesn’t understand computers. Dominic looked good a few weeks ago…I hope he is okay. My daughter (around the same age as you) helped sell poppies and scarves for the VFW at the Memorial Day parade and I had the chance to see Dominic for a bit. What a great guy!
Good night to you.
Wow…that was already 65 years ago. Amazing that the last Civil War vet to pass away was in 1959; I wonder how long these WWII guys will last? All those amazing stories from a different era, before tv and Elvis and video games.
Bishop on June 6, 2009 at 11:43 PM
Sadly there is only one remaining US solder from WWI. They are all almost gone around the world.
But we have other veterans such as Iraq war and Veitnam who never deserved any scorn from us and always deserved our praise.
I just hate that the left is still on its military hating witch hunts for our current heros doesnt matter if they served in Iraq or Afghanistan or Gitmo. They did what they did for us.
“… a peace invulnerable to the schemings of unworthy men.”
– FDR
Indeed.
progressoverpeace on June 6, 2009 at 10:28 PM
That particular phrase from FDR’s prayer caught my eye too, along with the phrase before it:
“with our sister nations into a world unity that will spell a sure peace –”
That’s part of a long conversation: The extraordinary failure of the United Nations, which seems more often the epitome of “the schemings of unworthy men,” than a means for guaranteeing Peace and Liberty.
Yah, it’s sort of a melancholy thought, to be the very last one left of all the millions who served; literally the final example of the breed.
I have the great pleasure and honor of being allowed to spend one weekend morning a month at a VFW with a group of WWII combat aviators who get together for breakfast. They sign things for me (I’m a warbird fanatic) and tell me stories from time to time.
All those old men and me, this younger guy hanging out and listening to tales about cannon shells chewing up B-17′s and torpedo runs on Japanese freighters, it’s eerie and awesome all at once.
And if you want to know the quality of liberals here in Minnesota, we had peaceniks protesting the Duluth air show today because they said it glorified war.
Showing WWII warbirds to history and aviation buffs is “glorifying war.” Go**dam…sometimes I just want to throttle these fools.
Blackfive doesn’t back down from ANYONE, including the jihadis — strangely, tho, they seem to generally leave him alone — having approx. 100 total years worth of military service, much of it in special ops. as the lead authors have over there prolly tends to shut up achmed posting from the basement, eh [!!]
Quite a few of those Somali’s who went missing because they intended to fight our guys overseas came from Minnesota, but still the leftonians quibbled. If there were attacks here, they would blame it on America, no doubt at all.
You seemed sad and I just wanted you to know that you make a difference in his life too. Like I mentioned, I have a daughter your age (her friend just graduated from Stony Brook, btw) and I tell her all the time that you never know who you will have an impact on–sometimes even the littlest kindnesses are not forgotten. I let Dominic know how much I appreciate him and all of our military. The friend I mentioned (who Dominic knew from the VFW) who passed on last August was a VERY special person to me. He shared his WWII stories with me many times. I was fortunate to be able to video tape him doing a WWII presentation for his grandson, who was in 8th grade at the time. It’s now preserved for his grandchildren. He also was on a special on our PBS station 1 1/2 years ago, since he at the time, was one of the surviving vets who had served on the USS Missouri during the war as well as the Japanese surrender. I loved him too and miss him all the time. My kids called him grandpa (he was my college friend’s father) and just like you mentioned in your post, he was not “blood” related to them, but it made no difference at all. I was able to post his pictures on the USS Missouri site for him a few years back and he was so happy for that.
I emailed your blog post to my friend when you posted it a while back to show them what you wrote about Dominic. I’m glad I came across your post that day!
About another 25 years if no Obama care, otherwise not as long.
MB4 on June 7, 2009 at 12:31 AM
Ugh. Imagine surviving Omaha Beach, the Schweinfurt Raid or Iwo Jima way back when and today having a fudcake like Daschle tell you that your care needs to be stopped because a younger, more “useful” patient needs it more.
Ugh. Imagine surviving Omaha Beach, the Schweinfurt Raid or Iwo Jima way back when and today having a fudcake like Daschle tell you that your care needs to be stopped because a younger, more “useful” more likely Democrat voting patient needs it more.
Ugh. Imagine surviving Omaha Beach, the Schweinfurt Raid or Iwo Jima way back when and today having a fudcake like Daschle tell you that your care needs to be stopped because a younger, more “useful” patient needs it more illegal aliens [read "prospective Democratic voter"] are tying up health-care resources nationwide.
It won’t be but a few more years before the last American WWII vet passes on to his hard earned eternal peace.
We remember this day in history with special commemoration. How soon we have forgetten the lessons learned by the end of the entire event. How soon the sacrifices of the ‘Greatest Generation’ are forgotten and relegated to the dust bin of history when our country, and the rest of the ‘free world’, allows itself to be turned into what it is fast becoming today.
I can’t help but wonder what all those poor souls who died way before their time, those kids and those family men and women, in the name of freedom, democracy, and honor would say if they could speak from beyond the grave about the state of this country and our world today.
Allah, today with this post and yesterday with your Charles Krauthammer post, you have restored some of my faith in HA after that awful “surprisingly good” post by Ed. Thanks.
There are some truly beautiful comments here, as there ALWAYS are. I especially loved Terrie’s “Thanksgiving in June”. That is pure poetry.
now preserved for his grandchildren. He also was on a special on our PBS station 1 1/2 years ago, since he at the time, was one of the surviving vets who had served on the USS Missouri during the war as well as the Japanese surrender. I loved him too and miss him all the time. My kids called him grandpa (he was my college friend’s father) and just like you mentioned in your post, he was not “blood” related to them, but it made no difference at all. I was able to post his pictures on the USS Missouri site for him a few years back and he was so happy for that.
I emailed your blog post to my friend when you posted it a while back to show them what you wrote about Dominic. I’m glad I came across your post that day!
andra on June 7, 2009 at 12:14 AM
First, thanks for just posting to me last night. Your words were kind. So thanks.
Sorry for just disappearing (little too much merlot last night if you know what I’m sayin!!) — I didn’t mean to be rude. Just ended up falling asleep.
Speaking of videos, that is awesome you did that and that it is preserved history now. I’ve been considering calling Dom and asking to do that too.
But anyway, I have soooo much video of him on a bullhorn and its pretty hysterical watching him just berate a bunch of leftists about nancy pelosi, and all that other junk. I have to get the right software and edit the video so I can put it up and show you.
Maybe one day when you can
You can go down and join them one Saturday — I can’t as much with work now, I can only make it every other week unfortunately for the next couple months. But perhaps you can go down and maybe take someone with you. I’ve heard they have a hard time getting people from the VFW to come down and join them. If you need information on where it is you can Gmail me
dom is definitely like a grandfather — mine both died when I was like 7 and 13, so I never had any of their WWII stories relayed to me. its unfortunate. dom is a total badass, but it makes sense because hes a flyboy. love him to death!
I have often wondered one thing about these boys. Why?
These fine young men, products of the great depression, life in America had not been particularly kind to these boys. Their last decade had not been a time of comfort and plenty. But instead a time of struggle and want.
But when called upon to lay the only thing they had down in service to their country and the world as a whole, they did so without question. War for America at that time was not a one sided route because of our technical abilities and superior weapons. In fact we were outclassed in that area in many respects. These boys going in knew that their casualties were going to be at least as high as the foes. Yet they did, and through great determination and will vanquished their foes and freed a world.
I am and continue to be in awe of this generation of Americans. And my hope for the future of this republic is often bolstered by the example of today’s young Americans that put on our country’s uniform and go into harms way.
In their eyes we see the glimmer of their great-grandfathers who went before them to preserve the republic.
mark 9
“If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.”
matthew 20
So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
matthew 23
The greatest among you will be your servant. 12For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
Elizabeth, by choice you missed your golden opportunity yesterday to prove what is right by being at Normandy in humble, regal magnificence, sitting with your veteran survivors who wanted your company and deserved it.
Yesterday Queen Elizabeth fell short her duty to Britain’s D-Day Veterans. Schade. Regardless of any invitation or lack thereof of proper protocol, her duty to those who survived and this new generation who came after the Normandy Invasion, after WWII, was to commemorate with the public the honor and valor and magnificent sacrifice with her own humility and majesty marking yesterday’s occasion. What a disappointment when a leader presumes it is all about himself or herself. But more’s the pity when the leader is the royal monarch, falling short of sacred duty to her nation to BE THERE NO MATTER WHAT for those who were there with or without choice banded together by choice to succeed against all, no matter, and for the Queen to teach those with no memory the sacred duty to tradition HOW SHE HONORS OUR FALLEN HEROES regardless of personal and political offense, to prove the Queen is above reproach as no slight affects her wisdom in judgment. The shame from Sarkozy and Brown in the protocol mishap is now yours for taking the vanity bait, Elizabeth. The Queen must rise above the occasion. Did she even visit the British point of departure for the D-Day Crossing of the Channel? I’ll search online now to find a speech from the Queen yesterday. Her health was not an issue. She should have proven her worth to her people by appearing, to stand with the crowd of commoners as their beloved Queen.
Mr. Brown is too bad for Britain, egging the worst from everyone through his corrupt dealings. Brown will go, is going down. The Queen stays for life. May God bless Elizabeth and her family with wisdom to protect the right.
Blowback
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Live your lives–each day–so that the deaths of these mostly-young men mean something. Earn what they sacrificed
Janos Hunyadi on June 6, 2009 at 9:53 PM
Beautiful prayer, and a reminder of the centrality of faith in our national history.
cs89 on June 6, 2009 at 9:54 PM
hearing eisenhower’s words, knowing their historic and utterly profound context, makes me want to join the service…though ive already determined id serve the public in a political capacity…hearing that message, knowing what was happening…knowing that there are still good fights that need fighting…its enough to make you the fighting type.
ernesto on June 6, 2009 at 9:55 PM
Wow times sure have changed… A president leading the nation in prayer… Where is the ACLU??
kringeesmom on June 6, 2009 at 9:58 PM
We will be praying FDR’s prayer tomorrow in the Episcopal Church that I am a member of.
And, we will be singing what is often called the Navy Hymn; “Eternal Father Strong to Save.”
It’s a truly beautiful prayer, appropriate for the day, and also for our current circumstance.
massrighty on June 6, 2009 at 10:05 PM
Thanks ap
You awesome bastard
A man in my life and the lives of others
a wwII pacific bomber veteran is sick and becoming visibly worse as the weeks go by
keep him in your prayers thanks
Goodnight
blatantblue on June 6, 2009 at 10:05 PM
To the men who came back, and more to the ones who did not:
Thank you.
rbj on June 6, 2009 at 10:08 PM
My personal favorite…from Eleanor Roosevelt…as applicable today as it was 65 years ago.
“Dear Lord,
Lest I continue
My complacent way,
Help me to remember that somewhere,
Somehow out there
A man died for me today.
As long as there be war,
I then must
Ask and answer
Am I worth dying for?”
coldwarrior on June 6, 2009 at 10:08 PM
Hold onto your WWII vet, blatantblue;
I lost mine (my Dad) 29 years ago.
He’s in our prayers.
massrighty on June 6, 2009 at 10:10 PM
Who knew that the USA was narrowly rescued from being a theocracy!
/sarc
daesleeper on June 6, 2009 at 10:10 PM
Here’s the thing…..
Context matters. D-Day was the beginning of the assualt on the Germans in their own backyard after years of warfare. D-Day was a pivotal moment and every American knew it.
FDR prayed. WWOD (what would Obama do?) My guess is the filthy liar in the White House would call a press conference to tell world what a great guy he was and blame
Hoover for causing WWII.
highhopes on June 6, 2009 at 10:11 PM
Im shocked that FDR didnt appologize to Germany for having to invade France in 1944 and persecute a war against Germany even though it never attacked the US at Pearl Harbor.
William Amos on June 6, 2009 at 10:14 PM
I’m still amazed we won. Every time I read WWII history, I find myself becoming tense and worried about the outcome. A damned close-run thing.
Thanks and prayers go out tonight to all who served. blatantblue, your vet especially.
Missy on June 6, 2009 at 10:17 PM
I’ve always liked a George Patton quote
johnsteele on June 6, 2009 at 10:19 PM
WWII D-Day vet to Prince Charles “Why isnt your mum here ?
William Amos on June 6, 2009 at 10:20 PM
Gordon Brown “We shall fight them on the seas, We shall fight them in the air, Ws shall fight them on Obama beach…”
William Amos on June 6, 2009 at 10:21 PM
A teleprompter never has to duck for incoming rounds.
A teleprompter never has to “have his buddys back”.
And the two words we may never hear from the teleprompter…..is human sacrifice.
Rovin on June 6, 2009 at 10:22 PM
Full text of Roosevelt’s D-Day Prayer at Newt.org:
Loxodonta on June 6, 2009 at 10:24 PM
Thank you for that. What an excellent prayer.
I can’t help but notice what a contrast it draws between Eleanor Roosevelt and our current First Lady, who recently said that she, like most Americans (according to her), had never really given much thought to the sacrifices that our military families have to make. Gives us a pretty good idea of the kind of Americans Michelle’s been associating with (not that we didn’t know that already). No wonder she’d never been proud of her country before. She’d never bothered to know her country.
AZCoyote on June 6, 2009 at 10:25 PM
My father served in the Navy before/during WWII and enlisted in the Army during the Korean War. One of his ships was hours outside of Pearl Harbor when Japan attacked and later offered crucial support in the long battle of Guadalcanal. Another ship on which he served was off the coast of Normandy 65 years ago.
By far, he told me, D-Day was the single most momentous event of his life — the casualties, the desperate need to turn the tide against Hitler, the intense sense of higher purpose and brotherhood, the determination to sacrifice all for mankind. Before he died in 1987, we watched Reagan’s 40th anniversary speech together. I don’t remember seeing my father cry before that day, but tears streamed down his cheeks — and still he could not talk about everything he had witnessed.
Each American generation produces heroes who answer the call to give all, not knowing what they will face or when if ever they will return. My parents married 5 months after D-Day and started a family after the war. I am a product of the baby boom and was blessed with a father of amazing character. Many husbands, fathers, potential husbands and fathers never returned. For me and many others, I’m sure, the anniversary of D-Day is Thanksgiving in June.
Terrie on June 6, 2009 at 10:27 PM
Given your life and needs, you will not be able to devote as much time to him as you might want. Forgive yourself for this, and cherish every moment you can give.
Each moment you give is a great gift. Bless you. You are both in my prayers.
Loxodonta on June 6, 2009 at 10:28 PM
“… a peace invulnerable to the schemings of unworthy men.”
– FDR
Indeed.
progressoverpeace on June 6, 2009 at 10:28 PM
Amen!
highhopes on June 6, 2009 at 10:28 PM
One of the reasons that so many went to fight for the freedom of others, and to protect this nation……….
…….. is that American History was actually taught in schools.
Not this ‘multi-cultural’ bullshit that blames every wrong in the world on the one country that has done so much good…….
………. Have we had problems, yes, but we have done our best to correct them to our own demise.
God Bless the United States of America, and those who served, and serve today that leave our shores never to return……….
………. and to President Barack Obama, the time will come to where you will not be honored. You walk on the deeds of others, you diminish what makes this country strong, and you apologize for what greater men and women than you died for.
Seven Percent Solution on June 6, 2009 at 10:29 PM
Amen.
Thanks for that.
Loxodonta on June 6, 2009 at 10:29 PM
A way to honor these brave men who went into the heart of battle knowing they will most likely be sacrificing their lived for their country is to continue to fight against the tyrannical fascism that is creeping across our landscape today, spreading from Washington D.C. to every small space in this country until no freedoms are left unpunished.
Fight. Remember who you are fighting, who you are fighting for, and who made it possible for you to fight today.
Don’t let these men and women of history down. Don’t be the ones that let your country slip away into a socialist, communist, tyranny at the hands of a narcissistic madman.
If you are to be remembered as the people that let this happen, all those that fought before you will be forgot.
Spiritk9 on June 6, 2009 at 10:30 PM
The idiot messiah would still be crying about how Germany hadn’t attacked us and how we waged a war of choice in North Africa, where no one was threatening the US.
How this nation has fallen so far …
progressoverpeace on June 6, 2009 at 10:32 PM
Reagan at Normandy,
from John’s website OPFOR
http://op-for.com/
canopfor on June 6, 2009 at 10:36 PM
FDR’s open invocation of God ( and please we know that the God he is talking about is Judeo Christian – “our united crusade”) reminds me that his social justice programs had more than a heavy dose of Christian morality to it.
When i see people like Christoper Hitchens and other ACLU types crying hoarse about the separation of Church and State and how some of the Founding Fathers are deist.. blah.. blah, i crack up – did these wise men ever hear of a certain FDR ?
How did the Democrat party come to this ? Can you even imagine what the ACLU would have done if Bush used the exact same language while sending troops for the surge ?
God Bless the Greatest Generation – as Churchill said of the RAF, the same could be said for every American soldier who fought to save the wotld from such unbearable EVIL
Never Before have so many been so grateful for so much to so few (relatively speaking about numbers ofcourse)
nagee76 on June 6, 2009 at 10:37 PM
Lox
You are right
I can’t spend as much time eith him as I like
I met him three years ago he is the grandfather I have even tho we aren’t related
he is very sick I love him so much
Blah sorry
I want to interview him soon to get him to relate his experiences on video
He’s a fcking great american
blatantblue on June 6, 2009 at 10:39 PM
So true. Thank you for that reminder.
Missy on June 6, 2009 at 10:39 PM
Fck
Tetris
blatantblue on June 6, 2009 at 10:40 PM
Its sad that freedoms so hard fought for over 60 years ago are now so freely given away or taken for granted by the “ME first” generation.
William Amos on June 6, 2009 at 10:44 PM
To the Land of the FREE and The Brave,
who brought peace,prosperity,and FREEDOM,
through,sacrifice,and blood,
Thank-You America,and may
God bless America,Canopfor:)
canopfor on June 6, 2009 at 10:47 PM
Allahpundit, thank you very much for your post tonight.
There are so many things that divide us in the moment, and perhaps such controversies are what draw the most attention.
But there are far more important things that unite us.
Many of us do not have the means to fight in battle for Liberty. Some of us can only lend support from afar. Some hold the hand of a wounded or dying veteran. Others fight for Liberty with our words.
Bless all of you who do your part in your own way.
Loxodonta on June 6, 2009 at 10:52 PM
My folks came from Newfoundland. Lot’s of our Brethren from the north fought and died for freedom as well.
God Bless you and your people also, Canopfor.
massrighty on June 6, 2009 at 10:53 PM
Amen!
Rosmerta on June 6, 2009 at 10:53 PM
Do what you can,
with what you have,
where you are.
– Theodore Roosevelt
And don’t demand too much of yourself.
We shall never know all the good
that a simple smile can do.
– Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta
Loxodonta on June 6, 2009 at 11:01 PM
The soldier stood and faced his God Which must always come to pass…
He hoped his shoes were shining Just as brightly as his brass.
“Step forward now, you soldier, How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek? To My Church have you been true?”
The soldier squared his shoulders and Said,”No, Lord, I guess I ain’t…
Because those of us who carry guns Can’t always be a saint.
I’ve had to work most Sundays And at times my talk was tough,
And sometimes I’ve been violent, Because the streets are awfully tough.
But, I never took a penny That wasn’t mine to keep…
Though I worked a lot of overtime When the bills got just too steep,
And I never passed a cry for help, Though at times I shook with fear,
And sometimes, God forgive me, I’ve wept unmanly tears.
I know I don’t deserve a place Among the people here…
They never wanted me around Except to calm their fears.
If you’ve a place for me here, Lord, It needn’t be so grand,
I never expected or had too much, But if you don’t, I’ll understand.”
There was a silence all around the throne Where the saints had often trod…
As the soldier waited quietly, For the judgment of his God,
“Step forward now you soldier,
Walk peacefully on Heaven’s streets,
You’ve done your time in Hell.”
Dedicated To All That Serve… God Bless America!
Knucklehead on June 6, 2009 at 11:02 PM
And so it goes. Like General Motors, America is “too big to fail.” So it won’t, not immediately. It will linger on in a twilight existence, sclerotic and ineffectual, declining unto a kind of societal dementia, unable to keep pace with what’s happening and with an ever more tenuous grip on its own past, but able on occasion to throw out impressive words albeit strung together without much meaning: empower, peace, justice, prosperity – just to take one windy gust from the president’s Cairo speech.
There’s better phrase-making in the current issue of Foreign Affairs, in a coinage of Leslie Gelb, president emeritus of the Committee on Foreign Relations. The president emeritus is a sober, judicious paragon of torpidly conventional wisdom. Nevertheless, musing on American decline, he writes, “The country’s economy, infrastructure, public schools and political system have been allowed to deteriorate. The result has been diminished economic strength, a less-vital democracy, and a mediocrity of spirit.” That last is the one to watch: A great power can survive a lot of things, but not “a mediocrity of spirit.” A wealthy nation living on the accumulated cultural capital of a glorious past can dodge its rendezvous with fate, but only for a while. That sound you heard in Cairo is the tingy ping of a hollow superpower.
- Mark Steyn
MB4 on June 6, 2009 at 11:07 PM
And I need to add my thanks to Allah for these great addresses. Every American should listen to them, though I’m sure that they would never be allowed in public schools, these days.
progressoverpeace on June 6, 2009 at 11:08 PM
I’ve read of a little boy, who has a good dad who will teach him much about American history. What a lucky little boy. What a good father.
Loxodonta on June 6, 2009 at 11:11 PM
BTW Allah, you’ve outdone yourself the past couple of days.
Thanks for letting me be your guest.
Knucklehead on June 6, 2009 at 11:13 PM
Thanks for that.
Loxodonta on June 6, 2009 at 11:16 PM
I’ll also add a “thank you” to AP for these thoughts on this day. From our nation’s founding, faith has been important to many, but a respect for individual beliefs and preferences has also been part of what has set us apart.
Notice that FDR prayed in a style familiar to many Christians, but was careful to be inclusive as well.
May we all live worthy of those who sacrificed so much.
cs89 on June 6, 2009 at 11:17 PM
Allahpubdit is a good man ya ms
blatantblue on June 6, 2009 at 11:20 PM
Thanks for the Reagan link, canopfor. Awesome speech. Where was I when he originally gave it? I had just graduated from college and had no interest in current events. To my shame, I missed so much of what was happening all around me.
God bless our fallen, our veterans, and the living defenders of our nation. God bless their families.
Rosmerta on June 6, 2009 at 11:22 PM
I think about those men preparing to storm the beaches of Normandy, and I wonder if our memories might somehow touch their dreams, as they looked forward and thought of us: the children and grandchildren they would bring into the world if they lived, or leave behind if the Longest Day was their last day. Their courage is the soil upon which the future grew. I wonder if it would have comforted them to know it would be such a bright and wondrous future, in which their grandchildren would swim in rivers of light and knowledge, walk upon the moon, and look beyond the lunar horizon into the infinite. If our grandfathers could somehow see us as clearly as we can see them, would they ask us why we don’t do more with the advantages we have been given? Would they spare a moment to marvel at what they could do with the ability to circle the globe in a day, or bring vast libraries instantly onto their desks?
On D-Day, a hundred and sixty thousand men charged into the valley of the shadow of death, not just for their own freedom, but to make other men free. They crossed the ocean that would have kept them safe from the Third Reich for years, and threw down the gates of Fortress Europe. Six months later, the veterans of Normandy would huddle in the frozen forests of Bastogne, dying from frostbite and German artillery, while eighty thousand of their fellow Americans fell around them in the Battle of the Bulge… and the survivors of Bastogne would spend the rest of their lives insisting they had no need of rescue.
Ten months after Normandy, the Allies reached Buchenwald, and the men who took Normandy learned beyond question that on D-Day they stormed not just a fortress, but a torture chamber and abbatoir. They had looked not only Death, but also the devil, in the eye… and it was Death and the devil who blinked.
The men of Operation Overlord are still with us today. They walk the streets of Iraq, and climb the mountains of Afghanistan, with younger faces and better guns. Every American flag is the flag they raised over Omaha Beach. Every day an American soldier walks into harm’s way, for the freedom of all mankind… or uses his body to shield the children of his “enemies” from shrapnel… is D-Day.
Doctor Zero on June 6, 2009 at 11:26 PM
I confess that I too get depressed at times by the narcissism of our contemporary culture, so well personified by our current president.
Perhaps stories of selflessness and simply acts of patriotism are not popular in the media these days, but when you come across any good ones, please share them with us. They help.
Loxodonta on June 6, 2009 at 11:26 PM
Freedoms are not given to people they are something that is fought for.
However freedoms can be something that can be all to easily given away……
William Amos on June 6, 2009 at 11:26 PM
Sadly I have the opposite to share
Even more sad these “Traitors” are called “True Believers” and their religeon is Communism.
William Amos on June 6, 2009 at 11:29 PM
lox
obama is the narcissist in chief
blatantblue on June 6, 2009 at 11:30 PM
just throwin out freakin freedoms oiut the window!
poof!
blatantblue on June 6, 2009 at 11:31 PM
“MB4 on June 6, 2009 at 11:07 PM”
well, i hear both you and mark, but the sound in cario, to me, was a small man overreaching yet again — flailing and drifting after just a few months. we’re bigger than him, and we are coming to that realization — and days like today serve as a wonderful reminder of it …
Buckaroo on June 6, 2009 at 11:33 PM
Thanks for taking the time to knock out your entire comment. It was very well done.
BuckeyeSam on June 6, 2009 at 11:33 PM
this day is too depressing
too bad evil exists
we wouldn’t have to send our BOYS to die
too bad evil exists
and always will
hug a wwII Vet
goodnight
blatantblue on June 6, 2009 at 11:35 PM
“Loxodonta on June 6, 2009 at 11:26 PM”
read the blog Blackfive often. he is constantly highlighting acts of valor, character, and substance from our servicemembers and their families. don’t let the s.r.m. color your thoughts, there’s a solid REASON the times, post, etc. are in their death throes, the future belongs to the new media, not to them …
Buckaroo on June 6, 2009 at 11:36 PM
Because the republicans drew sane patriotic folks with conservative values and the demoRATF**KS had to seek a different clientele. Because of their inability to draw large blocks of Americans to their banner, they chose to woo the minority dredges of our society to rally to them. The militants, the commies, the liberals, the racists, stupid youths, etc, etc, etc. Each group very small, but together a large block of supporters.
csdeven on June 6, 2009 at 11:36 PM
We spied on the US because we hated George Bush
Liberal idiots
William Amos on June 6, 2009 at 11:38 PM
So, we have a lot of work to do, don’t we?
One selfless act at a time. One patriotic act at a time.
I offer Private William Long, a good man to honor and remember this coming Monday.
Arrangements Final for Soldier’s Funeral
Loxodonta on June 6, 2009 at 11:38 PM
no one reads those pathetic pieces of leftist trash aymore
with good reason
lying bastrards
a US soldier dies
they SHOVE IT IN EVERYONES FACE
a US soldier spends time with an Iraqi child
the New tork times
DOESNT SAY A WORD.
blatantblue on June 6, 2009 at 11:40 PM
canopfor,
Thank you so much for providing the link to Reagan’s speech – it was so poignant and such an amazing tribute – tears were flowing down my face.
God Bless the Greatest Generation.
nagee76 on June 6, 2009 at 11:42 PM
“csdeven on June 6, 2009 at 11:36 PM”
jmo, but there are two groups that make up the donk party today. 1. [smaller in size but inordinately in the leadership] the statist true believers — they are our domestic enemy and will be very difficult to persuaded; they pretty much need to be defeated. 2. [large in size but inordinately the rank and file] the “traditional” donk voting blocs [minorities, union members, lower incomes, etc. etc.] these are the folks that either don’t realize how horribly their party has drifted off course and/or don’t care. THESE are the ones that elected RWR back in the day. conversely, they went for zero for whatever reason. THESE are the ones that the curent gop leadership [oxymoron alert!] must speak to and hold on to come 12+ months from now …
/difficult? yes. impossible? ABSOLUTELY NOT. it takes better messaging from steele, better manuvering by mitch m., john b. and the boyz, and better words and actions by the governors …
Buckaroo on June 6, 2009 at 11:43 PM
Wow…that was already 65 years ago. Amazing that the last Civil War vet to pass away was in 1959; I wonder how long these WWII guys will last? All those amazing stories from a different era, before tv and Elvis and video games.
Bishop on June 6, 2009 at 11:43 PM
Hi Blatantblue, I never comment, usually just read, but I had to let you know we both know someone in common– I spoke with “Dominic” at the VFW hall (you have a picture and write up on your blog back in December — you posted a link to the protest write-up on hotair a while back)…I met him through a special family friend — she lost her WWII vet husband last August 2008. She belongs to the VFW as did her husband who was friends with Dominic. I spoke with Dominic on Memorial Day weekend and told him he was “famous” on a blog…YOURS! I told him how highly you spoke of him and I mentioned your name (on your blog). His eyes lit up and he said you are a great kid! Not only has he left a good impression on you, but you left a good impression on him. I think he’d LOVE to see your blog post with him in it, but doesn’t understand computers. Dominic looked good a few weeks ago…I hope he is okay. My daughter (around the same age as you) helped sell poppies and scarves for the VFW at the Memorial Day parade and I had the chance to see Dominic for a bit. What a great guy!
Good night to you.
andra on June 6, 2009 at 11:45 PM
Sadly there is only one remaining US solder from WWI. They are all almost gone around the world.
But we have other veterans such as Iraq war and Veitnam who never deserved any scorn from us and always deserved our praise.
I just hate that the left is still on its military hating witch hunts for our current heros doesnt matter if they served in Iraq or Afghanistan or Gitmo. They did what they did for us.
William Amos on June 6, 2009 at 11:46 PM
That particular phrase from FDR’s prayer caught my eye too, along with the phrase before it:
“with our sister nations into a world unity that will spell a sure peace –”
That’s part of a long conversation: The extraordinary failure of the United Nations, which seems more often the epitome of “the schemings of unworthy men,” than a means for guaranteeing Peace and Liberty.
Loxodonta on June 6, 2009 at 11:50 PM
William Amos on June 6, 2009 at 11:46 PM
Yah, it’s sort of a melancholy thought, to be the very last one left of all the millions who served; literally the final example of the breed.
I have the great pleasure and honor of being allowed to spend one weekend morning a month at a VFW with a group of WWII combat aviators who get together for breakfast. They sign things for me (I’m a warbird fanatic) and tell me stories from time to time.
All those old men and me, this younger guy hanging out and listening to tales about cannon shells chewing up B-17′s and torpedo runs on Japanese freighters, it’s eerie and awesome all at once.
Bishop on June 6, 2009 at 11:55 PM
To all those who served, to all those who have died, to all those in uniform who currently serve, and to all those who post here…….
……. Thank you. God Bless you ALL!
Seven Percent Solution on June 6, 2009 at 11:55 PM
Thanks. There are more than one. You mean this Blackfive?
Loxodonta on June 6, 2009 at 11:55 PM
Im sure that is who he meant. BTW blackfive and John Murtha have a history. Blackfive is someone who will not back down for Mr Murtha.
William Amos on June 6, 2009 at 11:58 PM
Wow
Amazing
Dominic is a great man!
Honestly
I love him so much. I don’t even know what to say. He is just great and idk
Like a grandfather to me
Really an inspiration.
blatantblue on June 6, 2009 at 11:59 PM
And if you want to know the quality of liberals here in Minnesota, we had peaceniks protesting the Duluth air show today because they said it glorified war.
Showing WWII warbirds to history and aviation buffs is “glorifying war.” Go**dam…sometimes I just want to throttle these fools.
Bishop on June 7, 2009 at 12:00 AM
@ loxo
you have hit the target!
@ w.a.
Blackfive doesn’t back down from ANYONE, including the jihadis — strangely, tho, they seem to generally leave him alone — having approx. 100 total years worth of military service, much of it in special ops. as the lead authors have over there prolly tends to shut up achmed posting from the basement, eh [!!]
Buckaroo on June 7, 2009 at 12:02 AM
“Bishop on June 7, 2009 at 12:00 AM”
God forbid, but if/when some somali goes ‘splodey there, do u think they’ll wake up? or wind up like most nycers who went back to sleep too quickly?
Buckaroo on June 7, 2009 at 12:03 AM
You’ve touched the heart of a good man. He’s noticed and other’s have as well.
There is a balm in Gilead.
Now stop being down on the world and yourself, and keep spreading that balm.
Loxodonta on June 7, 2009 at 12:10 AM
Buckaroo on June 7, 2009 at 12:03 AM
Quite a few of those Somali’s who went missing because they intended to fight our guys overseas came from Minnesota, but still the leftonians quibbled. If there were attacks here, they would blame it on America, no doubt at all.
Bishop on June 7, 2009 at 12:13 AM
You seemed sad and I just wanted you to know that you make a difference in his life too. Like I mentioned, I have a daughter your age (her friend just graduated from Stony Brook, btw) and I tell her all the time that you never know who you will have an impact on–sometimes even the littlest kindnesses are not forgotten. I let Dominic know how much I appreciate him and all of our military. The friend I mentioned (who Dominic knew from the VFW) who passed on last August was a VERY special person to me. He shared his WWII stories with me many times. I was fortunate to be able to video tape him doing a WWII presentation for his grandson, who was in 8th grade at the time. It’s now preserved for his grandchildren. He also was on a special on our PBS station 1 1/2 years ago, since he at the time, was one of the surviving vets who had served on the USS Missouri during the war as well as the Japanese surrender. I loved him too and miss him all the time. My kids called him grandpa (he was my college friend’s father) and just like you mentioned in your post, he was not “blood” related to them, but it made no difference at all. I was able to post his pictures on the USS Missouri site for him a few years back and he was so happy for that.
I emailed your blog post to my friend when you posted it a while back to show them what you wrote about Dominic. I’m glad I came across your post that day!
andra on June 7, 2009 at 12:14 AM
“Bishop on June 7, 2009 at 12:13 AM”
that is a crying shame …
Buckaroo on June 7, 2009 at 12:17 AM
My favorite bumper sticker:
If you can read this, thank a teacher;
If you’re reading it in English, thank a soldier.
BobMbx on June 7, 2009 at 12:27 AM
About another 25 years if no Obama care, otherwise not as long.
MB4 on June 7, 2009 at 12:31 AM
You have a most wonderful way with words. Thank you.
They are not dead who live in the hearts they leave behind.
– Proverb of the Tuscarora People
Loxodonta on June 7, 2009 at 12:37 AM
A-MEN!
christene on June 7, 2009 at 12:51 AM
About another 25 years if no Obama care, otherwise not as long.
MB4 on June 7, 2009 at 12:31 AM
Ugh. Imagine surviving Omaha Beach, the Schweinfurt Raid or Iwo Jima way back when and today having a fudcake like Daschle tell you that your care needs to be stopped because a younger, more “useful” patient needs it more.
Bishop on June 7, 2009 at 12:53 AM
Gutsy of an atheist to post this.
Kudos to your intellectual honesty, AP.
Gaunilon on June 7, 2009 at 1:00 AM
MB4 on June 7, 2009 at 1:01 AM
Unless the enemy kills him here.
LibTired (KO) on June 7, 2009 at 1:09 AM
This is the Final Crusade. There are only two sides. Pick one.
Connie on June 7, 2009 at 1:36 AM
BuckeyeSam on June 7, 2009 at 1:37 AM
Whenever I think Allahpundit is a hopeless cynic, he puts up a post like this. Nicely done, AP.
flipflop on June 7, 2009 at 2:04 AM
I listen to those speeches… and hate what we’ve become.
mankai on June 7, 2009 at 2:22 AM
Great scene in Band of Brothers that depicts the beginning of it all: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqBcU4Vl6pk&feature=player_embedded
Mayhem on June 7, 2009 at 2:52 AM
On February 22, 2009 the last living American Veteran of WWI died.
It won’t be but a few more years before the last American WWII vet passes on to his hard earned eternal peace.
We remember this day in history with special commemoration. How soon we have forgetten the lessons learned by the end of the entire event. How soon the sacrifices of the ‘Greatest Generation’ are forgotten and relegated to the dust bin of history when our country, and the rest of the ‘free world’, allows itself to be turned into what it is fast becoming today.
I can’t help but wonder what all those poor souls who died way before their time, those kids and those family men and women, in the name of freedom, democracy, and honor would say if they could speak from beyond the grave about the state of this country and our world today.
So very sad if it ends up it was all for naught.
God rest their souls in glory and peace.
SilverStar830 on June 7, 2009 at 3:04 AM
Allah, today with this post and yesterday with your Charles Krauthammer post, you have restored some of my faith in HA after that awful “surprisingly good” post by Ed. Thanks.
There are some truly beautiful comments here, as there ALWAYS are. I especially loved Terrie’s “Thanksgiving in June”. That is pure poetry.
-Aslan’s Girl
Aslans Girl on June 7, 2009 at 3:31 AM
First, thanks for just posting to me last night. Your words were kind. So thanks.
Sorry for just disappearing (little too much merlot last night if you know what I’m sayin!!) — I didn’t mean to be rude. Just ended up falling asleep.
Speaking of videos, that is awesome you did that and that it is preserved history now. I’ve been considering calling Dom and asking to do that too.
But anyway, I have soooo much video of him on a bullhorn and its pretty hysterical watching him just berate a bunch of leftists about nancy pelosi, and all that other junk. I have to get the right software and edit the video so I can put it up and show you.
Maybe one day when you can
You can go down and join them one Saturday — I can’t as much with work now, I can only make it every other week unfortunately for the next couple months. But perhaps you can go down and maybe take someone with you. I’ve heard they have a hard time getting people from the VFW to come down and join them. If you need information on where it is you can Gmail me
dom is definitely like a grandfather — mine both died when I was like 7 and 13, so I never had any of their WWII stories relayed to me. its unfortunate. dom is a total badass, but it makes sense because hes a flyboy. love him to death!
thanks again for saying what you said last night.
blatantblue on June 7, 2009 at 5:44 AM
andra maybe you can email me your email so i can send you video when its done
also if you’d like some photos i have a pretty cool bunch of them
ok thank sagain
blatantblue on June 7, 2009 at 5:52 AM
I have often wondered one thing about these boys. Why?
These fine young men, products of the great depression, life in America had not been particularly kind to these boys. Their last decade had not been a time of comfort and plenty. But instead a time of struggle and want.
But when called upon to lay the only thing they had down in service to their country and the world as a whole, they did so without question. War for America at that time was not a one sided route because of our technical abilities and superior weapons. In fact we were outclassed in that area in many respects. These boys going in knew that their casualties were going to be at least as high as the foes. Yet they did, and through great determination and will vanquished their foes and freed a world.
I am and continue to be in awe of this generation of Americans. And my hope for the future of this republic is often bolstered by the example of today’s young Americans that put on our country’s uniform and go into harms way.
In their eyes we see the glimmer of their great-grandfathers who went before them to preserve the republic.
conservnut on June 7, 2009 at 8:29 AM
mark 9
“If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.”
matthew 20
So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
matthew 23
The greatest among you will be your servant. 12For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
Elizabeth, by choice you missed your golden opportunity yesterday to prove what is right by being at Normandy in humble, regal magnificence, sitting with your veteran survivors who wanted your company and deserved it.
Yesterday Queen Elizabeth fell short her duty to Britain’s D-Day Veterans. Schade. Regardless of any invitation or lack thereof of proper protocol, her duty to those who survived and this new generation who came after the Normandy Invasion, after WWII, was to commemorate with the public the honor and valor and magnificent sacrifice with her own humility and majesty marking yesterday’s occasion. What a disappointment when a leader presumes it is all about himself or herself. But more’s the pity when the leader is the royal monarch, falling short of sacred duty to her nation to BE THERE NO MATTER WHAT for those who were there with or without choice banded together by choice to succeed against all, no matter, and for the Queen to teach those with no memory the sacred duty to tradition HOW SHE HONORS OUR FALLEN HEROES regardless of personal and political offense, to prove the Queen is above reproach as no slight affects her wisdom in judgment. The shame from Sarkozy and Brown in the protocol mishap is now yours for taking the vanity bait, Elizabeth. The Queen must rise above the occasion. Did she even visit the British point of departure for the D-Day Crossing of the Channel? I’ll search online now to find a speech from the Queen yesterday. Her health was not an issue. She should have proven her worth to her people by appearing, to stand with the crowd of commoners as their beloved Queen.
Mr. Brown is too bad for Britain, egging the worst from everyone through his corrupt dealings. Brown will go, is going down. The Queen stays for life. May God bless Elizabeth and her family with wisdom to protect the right.
Sigh.
maverick muse on June 7, 2009 at 8:34 AM
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