Today marks the 68th anniversary of D-Day — the Allied Invasion of Normandy, the largest and most complex operation of Wold War II, that helped turn the tide of the War. More than 2,500 Allied troops made the ultimate sacrifice during the Normandy Landings to secure the freedom that we enjoy both in Europe and at home in the U.S. I could have written a lot about D-Day and the military leadership that planned and executed the largest amphibious assault in history. I had a lot swirling in my mind on what I could write. But, I came across the image below of a quote from General Dwight D. Eisenhower’s D-Day message to the troops who would fight on Normandy’s beaches. These words say much more than I could ever say here about the inspiration, courage, trust and empowerment that Eisenhower displays in his message. Like a football coach before a big game, speaking to his players before they take the field of battle, General Eisenhower conveys to the troops his full faith and confidence in their abilities to achieve nothing less than full victory.
D-Day June 6, 1944
You are about to embark upon the great crusade toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the World are upon you…I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle.
General Dwight D. Eisenhower
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Additional Resource for this Content -
General Eisenhower’s Message Sent Just Prior to the Invasion (with text and audio)
Highly Recommended Online Content on D-Day and the Commemoration of its 68th Anniversary -
D-Day Fact Sheet – 6 June 1944 – Normandy, France
Operation Overlord: Invasion of Normandy (Naval History & Heritage Command)
U.S. Army’s D-Day – June 6, 1944 Resource Page (U.S. Army Website)
June 6, 1944: D-Day – Broadside Blog – Military Times
Remembering D-Day June 6, 1944 (DOD Live)
This Day in History – June 6, 1944: D-Day (The History Channel)
President Ronald Reagan’s Normandy Speech: Ceremony Commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the Normandy Invasion, D-Day (video)
President Ronald Reagan’s Speech at Point-du-Hoc, Normandy (video)
WWII Vet Recalls ‘Bad Deal’ Infantry Faced on D-Day (Stars and Strips Magazine)
‘Band of Brothers’ Honored on D-Day Anniversary (Military Times)
Warriors of Yesterday, Today Commemorate D-Day Together (U.S. Army Website)
Veterans, Contemporary Warriors Salute D-Day Landings
Video: Paratroopers Jump in Normandy - Paratroopers from five different nations perform airborne operations commemorating the 68th year anniversary of D-Day
D-Day: More Americans Died During Invasion than in All of Iraq War (New York Daily News)
D-Day, June 6th 1944 (06-06-12)… (1idvet.com)
The Mighty Endeavor (nebraskaenergyobserver.wordpress.com)
