A generation later, James at Captain Miller's grave: My family is with me today. They wanted to come with me. To be honest with you, I wasn't sure how I'd feel coming back here. Every day I think about what you said to me that day on the bridge. And I've tried to live my life the best I could. I hope that was enough. I hope that at least in your eyes, I've earned what all of you have done for me.
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| SAVING PRIVATE RYAN |
On this day in 1944, the Allies commence Operation Overlord by landing at five beaches in Normandy - Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword. Nicknamed D-Day, it became the largest amphibious operation in military history.
In remembrance of this day, I offer you several links to those who have earned it:
From Tamara, a Navy surgeon and romance reader,
One of our beautiful Navy nurses here at Bethesda was diagnosed with breast cancer and her inspirational story that originally just aired on the military channel is up for an Emmy!
5/1/2012 - WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio - Lt. Col. Gregory Baxley, 445th Airlift Wing Judge Advocate Office, and Col. Stephen Goeman, 445th AW commander, congratulate Mary Ann Wilsbacher, U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the U.S. Trustee, for receiving the Above and Beyond Award at the Ohio ESGR 2012 Annual Employer Recognition Dinner March 31. Wilsbacher is the employer of Senior Airman Matthew McDonald and Maj. Jeremy Flannery, both from the 445th Airlift Wing Judge Advocate General Office. (U.S. Air Force photo/Lt. Col. Cynthia Harris)
From Tamara, a Navy surgeon and romance reader,
One of our beautiful Navy nurses here at Bethesda was diagnosed with breast cancer and her inspirational story that originally just aired on the military channel is up for an Emmy!
Here's the link.
I am proud to share that my friend was recognized by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). From this link,
5/1/2012 - WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio - Lt. Col. Gregory Baxley, 445th Airlift Wing Judge Advocate Office, and Col. Stephen Goeman, 445th AW commander, congratulate Mary Ann Wilsbacher, U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the U.S. Trustee, for receiving the Above and Beyond Award at the Ohio ESGR 2012 Annual Employer Recognition Dinner March 31. Wilsbacher is the employer of Senior Airman Matthew McDonald and Maj. Jeremy Flannery, both from the 445th Airlift Wing Judge Advocate General Office. (U.S. Air Force photo/Lt. Col. Cynthia Harris)
Finally, Operation Paperback connects book donations with deployed personnel. These tireless volunteers recently received an unusual request - twin sheets! If you would like to participate in the book donation, contact Operation Paperback, check out their website at www.operationpaperback.org. If you are interested in mailing twin sheets to an APO address, contact me at sos.aloha@yahoo.com.
Have you visited any famous battle ground? One randomly selected commenter wins a book choice from my convention stash. This giveaway is open to all readers. Comments are open through Saturday, June 9, 10 pm in Hawaii. I'll post the winner on Sunday, June 10.
Mahalo,
Kim in Hawaii
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| The Might Mo salutes those who earned it. |
I haven't had a chance to visit any famous battle grounds yet.
ReplyDeleteThis past year my husband and I were fortunate to visit the beaches of Normandy. It was awesome and something I will not forget. I have been to battlegrounds here in the US as well.
ReplyDeleteYes, I did when I vacationed with my friends family in Maryland and PA.
ReplyDeleteI haven't sadly. But we're planning on going to Gettysburg which should be an emotional event . :) I teared up reading the opening of this post. Private Ryan was the one movie that turned me into an emotional wreck.
ReplyDeleteCarol L
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com
No, I haven't but I would like to visit some.
ReplyDeletemarlenebreakfield(at)yahoo(dot)com
Thank you for all the links. I have not been to any famous battlegrounds. I'm sure just being at one must be quite emotional.
ReplyDeletei've visit any famous battle grounds yet
ReplyDeleteHi Kim -
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I were both raised to believe that it's important to know the past to understand the world we live in today.
Ftom the time our sons were toddlers we started going to historical sites. Living in New England we never had to travel very far and introduce to them history over the centuries.
As they grew older we tried to teach them the sacrifice of those who had gone before us to defend their liberty, life and beliefs. One of the most memorable sites for them was our first visit to Gettsburg. We tried to walk as much of the battlefield as we could and as we went my husband shared with them what would have been happening around them including the young boys the same age they were at the time. He had them hide behind trees, lay down by a fallen log and make them imagine the gun fire around them. The lesson taught them to never forget that the sacrifice of those that went before them gives them the freedom they have today.
For my husband and I two of our favorite sites is Cow Pens in South Carolina. This important battle that took place in 1781 in a small quiet area of Northwestern South Carolina is often overlooked and unknown by many who like learning more about the fight for our country's independance. Even though we have been there several times there has never been a long line to wait in or crowds of people. Instead it offers you a chance to walk the site in quiet comtemplation of the freedom we have today.
Much is the same at another site of ours, the Battle of Appomattox Courthouse which took place in 1865. It is a small National Park but again far from the normal route "travelers" would be driving so you have to leave the highway to reach it. One of the most profound expereiences I had while standing in the room where Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee sat together at a simple wooden table and on April 9th Lee signed the surrender document to end the war.
I feel it's important to make that journey whether by reading about our history or visiing where that history took place and to always remember that the sacrices of others have given us the freedom that we have today.
What a wonderful response... thank you so much for sharing with the rest of us. I admire you and your husband for teaching your children such a valuable lesson. I am sure that your children will become valuable citizens of this country.
DeleteWe have visited a few small ones but my husband has always wanted to visit Gettysburg which we hope to do someday.
ReplyDeleteI've visited many battlefields from the Civil War and two from the American Revolution. Each is so unique in telling its story. What a special gift we have to be able to go back and study and realize what those before us have given up for us.
ReplyDeleteLast year, Hubby and I visited the D-Day beaches and the American Cemetery at Normandy. It is such a humbling and heart-wrenching experience to stand on Omaha beach, and look west toward Utah and realize that truly anyone who survived that battle must have been touched by the hand of God. The three beaches to the east--Gold, Juno and Sword, are flat land. But Utah and Omaha are rocky and steep, and are divided Point du Hoc cliff, which was then German-fortified.
I had tears in my eyes at the cemetery. And selfishly, I thanked God that my own father had invaded Europe through southern Italy, instead of France. Thank you, Kim, for a wonderful reminder of today.
Thanks for the beautiful tribute, Kim. I wonder how many people these days even remember the importance of June 6th. With so few of that generation remaining, it's important for the rest of us to keep the memory alive so we never forget the courageous sacrifices they made on that horrific day.
ReplyDeleteI've been in awe of the courage displayed on D Day ever since seeing the movie, The Longest Day, when I was a kid. I must have gone to see it about 7 times (the movie theatre on our military base only cost a quarter, 60 cents if it was a blockbuster). It is still one of my favorite war movies of all time.
ReplyDeleteI have visited the San Jacinto battleground, in Texas, from the Mexican/American War.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know you were posting this today. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteGettysburg is the only on land battleground I have visited. I have been to Pearl Harbor though. It is always so moving to visit a place where so many lives were lost.
ReplyDeletegeishasmom73 AT yahoo DOT com
I've visited Gettysburg.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately we have not. I am in the process of planning some places to take our boys as we love to learn about history. I have been to several Civil War reanactments as a child near my home. I loved them.
ReplyDeleteMel
I have visited the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery where I buried my husband. Recently we visited on Memorial Day. The cemetery was beautiful. I've also been to the Punch Bowl in Hawaii as well. Thanks you for sharing this day with us Kim.
ReplyDeleteHave not but I want to
ReplyDeleteKimh
I haven't as of yet.
ReplyDeleteNo I haven't visited any battlegrounds.
ReplyDeleteI haven't visited any battlegrounds famous or otherwise. I imagine I would find the experience quite moving.
ReplyDeleteMy son was born and raised in South Florida. He has always wanted to visit the North East where his father and I were born and raised. Finally, last summer he and I made the trip. It was a wonderful vacation and history lesson at the same time. We visited Philadelphia where the founding fathers spend so much time creating our nation and Washington DC. We visited so many historical sites, but Arlington Cemetary was one of the highlights along with the monuments to the major US wars. The WWII monument that was so long in coming was just beautiful. We did so little for "The Greatest Generation". The Korean and Viet Nam memorials were also very thought provoking. One of our last "visits" before heading home was Gettysgurg. There are just no words to describe the feeling of treading on the same ground as those brave men...and boys. What a wonderful country we live in and how many brave men have lost their lives to ensure our continued freedom.
ReplyDeleteI haven't yet.
ReplyDeleteGettysburg as a child, Chattanooga and Ft Donelson as an adult.. I'd love to return to the Washington DC area and visit again.. we were there in the late 1980's.. Took 8th graders on spring break.. that's an adventure!!
ReplyDeleteI've visited lots of Civil War battle sites. I remember being at Gettysburg when I was a child (& then later as an adult), there is something in the atmosphere that is palpable. And the presentations by the Park Rangers & historians brings what happened to life - always very affecting. Felt the same way during visits to Pearl Harbor.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post. Thanks for putting it together Kim.
ReplyDeleteI have been to Pearl Harbor, it was an amazing thing to see. And everyone was so respectful. I agree, the feeling you get when at a place like that is palpable.
Hi Kim,
ReplyDeleteWhen I went to Scotland many years ago, I visited the site where the Battle of Culloden took place. It was something that I'll never forget.
When we went to London 18 months ago, my husband, son and grandson went to France to Omaha Beach where the troops landed on D-Day. It was a cold, windswept and snowy day when they went. I've also got pictures of them there. I also have to salute my darling Dad who was one of the troops from England who participated in D-Day.
I have visited Gettysburg which seems like a pretty quiet spot to have had such an awful battle.
ReplyDelete