D-Day, A Day To Remember
/06 June 1944
“Those who fought, and died, to free Europe on that day altered the course of history.”
The Allied Invasion
On 06 June 1944, during World War II, the Allies launched a massive landing on the beaches of Normandy in France. It became known as D-Day and it's a date we recognize and remember each year.
“More than 5,000 Ships and 13,000 aircraft supported the D-Day invasion, and by day’s end, the Allies gained a foot-hold in Continental Europe.”
This was no easy beach landing. The Germans were entrenched with strong fortifications. Initially, it was a massacre of Allied troops, but still they pressed on.
It was imperative to take those beaches at all costs. And for those who died that day, it was, indeed, at all costs.
“The cost in lives on D-Day was high. More than 9,000 Allied Soldiers were killed or wounded, but their sacrifice allowed more than 100,000 Soldiers to begin the slow, hard slog across Europe, to defeat Adolf Hitler’s crack troops.”
WWII AMERICAN CEMETERY IN NORMANDY
Present Day Awareness Of D-Day
Imagine the trembling fear and simultaneous bravery that must have surged through the troops as they landed. The sacrifice of human life that was required to take those beaches is immeasurable. Who will die? Who will survive?
Maybe you know individuals in your family who were at the landing. Healing is still needed for all participants of the war, for both sides.
Some of us are moved to sorrow by the plants and animals affected by the war. The earth itself bears the wounds of many bombings. We hold it all in our hearts and awareness as we remember them.
D-Day beaches with craters from bombings – pointe du hoc
On this D-Day – we honor those who came before us for their willingness to step forward into the heat of battle and for their immense sacrifice.
