Friday Open Thread [6.6.14]
On this 70th anniversary of D-Day, I am posting something my brother wrote about this day:
70 years ago today the largest amphibious invasion ever and the most important battle in human history took place on the beaches of Normandy. Our country was never, before or since, as united in one common purpose as we were on that day and during that war. Can you even imagine today? Every single American united in one cause. Together. Elvis Pressley fought. Jimmy Stewart. They cancelled baseball for jimmy crickets sake because so many professional athletes went overseas to fight and die. Can you imagine Kayne West and Lil Wayne lacing up their boots? Tom Brady and Desean Jackson in army green? Jared Leto or Johnny Depp signing up to fight? It was a different time, a great generation and a shared purpose that no one could doubt. That everyone could believe in. Remember them today. They were better than we are today. They are what we are capable of being.
Brilliant. The following is General Eisenhower’s message that he to all of the allied forces who were about to land on the beaches of northwestern France. This speech was given just prior to the allied forces arrival at Normandy in early June of 1944…
“Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force! You are about to embark upon a great crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers in arms on other fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world.
Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped and battle hardened, he will fight savagely.
But this is the year 1944! Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of 1940-41. The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats, in open battle, man to man. Our air offensive has seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on the ground. Our home fronts have given us an overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions of war, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men. The tide has turned! The free men of the world are marching together to victory!
I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory!
Good Luck! And let us all beseech the blessings of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.”
Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower
“They were better than we are today. They are what we are capable of being.”
I disagree. They had a cause unlike any before or since. And if everyone was involved it was more a testament to how much more equality existed in the country then versus now. I’m sure the wealthiest were shielded from the front lines just as today – but baseball players were not among the wealthy.
If Russia invaded Western Europe and/or China invaded Japan and Australia I think you can rest assured that we would fully mobilize and do some serious ass kicking. We already win the air craft carrier match… USA 11 The World nil…
Plus… drones.
We’re lucky that there is no existential threat to us (at least not from a nation or group of people) and very likely won’t be for a hundred years. Al Qeada, the Taliban, Boko Haram, Hezbollah and Somali pirates combined couldn’t capture Jacksonville, FL.
“Al Qeada, the Taliban, Boko Haram, Hezbollah and Somali pirates combined couldn’t capture Jacksonville, FL.”
Lol. They can have it though.
Hahahaha. Nah, that would cut off South Florida and Orlando.
“that would cut off South Florida and Orlando.”
True. But there’s probably a down side to it, too.
In honor of D-Day, The Guardian has posted up an amazing series of pictures — showing pictures taken 70 years ago during the landing and showing those sites now. The transition is ghostly.
They were so damn brave. I’m sure they were scared but did what they had to
that is real bravery.
@jason And if everyone was involved it was more a testament to how much more equality existed in the country then versus now.
OK I can understand that as an economic argument, but in a military and a society that still segregated African-Americans and rounded up Japanese-Americans into concentration camps, I’m gonna have to part company on the “much more equality” thing.
Plus, all those guys were drafted.