In Remembrance of D-Day 80 Years On

On this day, June 6, 1944 The United States and their allies

launched their largest and most audacious offensive move of

the Second World War. They had to postpone it for a few days 

due to inclement weather before launching their invasion of

the beaches of Normandy on the French coast. The stakes were 

astronomical; if Operation Overlord, the military name for the 

tremendous undertaking were to be a failure, the war in Europe

would have taken at least another full year to wage in order to 

free the countries there from the Germans' grip. Although many

men made the ultimate sacrifice to beat back the Germans, still

more men would have been lost if the European theatre of war

were to continue to see action for that long or longer. 

The troops of the Allied Expeditionary Force were addressed 

by the General Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme Commander 

of the Allied Forces, who would either receive high praise or

damning consequences depending upon the outcome of the 

invasion. Here is his speech, in its entirety:

Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force!

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. The hopes and prayers of liberty loving people every-

where 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 of 1944! Much has happened since the Nazi

triumphs of 1940-41. The United States 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 blessing of Almighty God 

upon this great and noble undertaking.

Dwight David Eisenhower

The United States, its top general, and their allied partners, as you 

know were successful in their mind-boggling undertaking. 

Operation Overlord marked the beginning of the Allied Forces victory 

in the European theatre of WWII and with it the end of Germany's.

dominance. The military men who fought, bled, sacrificed all, and 

those who survived returned home heroes from D-Day, saved the

world from oppression and all attendant suffering with our nation

leading the effort. These brave souls would be known from that time 

forward known as The Greatest Generation, their place in our nation's 

and our world's history assured, along with the freedom which our 

country and many other countries enjoy. 

Your humble and grateful Peasant salutes these courageous warriors 

on this momentous day, the 80th anniversary of the biggest military 

undertaking that the world has ever witnessed. God bless you all! 

Your story is a reminder that freedom doesn't come cheap but is a 

necessity, not a luxury. 

MEM