Greetings, in three weeks or so, by my calendar, many Americans will soon prepare and enjoy their Fourth of July and Celebrations.  Last Tuesday (June 6, 2023), an anniversary happened around the world.  I would be remised if I didn’t talk about this special anniversary and the bravery of not only the Americans that took part in it.  The date was June 6, 1944, better known as D-Day, and it was an international effort totaling 13 different countries.

13 Allied Countries That Took Part in D-Day (warhistoryonline.com)

The “D-Day” landings and the subsequent campaign to capture Normandy was 79 years ago, and very few survivors are alive to tell you about it. Imagine someone 18 or 19 years old and living to tell about it.

The outcome of D-Day is vital because had we lost the war, history would not be the same. To some, last week,  Tuesday, June 6, 2023, was just another day in their life.  However, it is not because I know the rest of the story that others may not know.

Although I did not participate in D-Day, I know what courage and bravery feel and look like.  I also see the area in which the Battle of Normandy or D-Day was fought.

In addition, if God allows, I happen to know someone that will be 102 years old in a few months.  As I visited him last week, it’s an honor to be in his presence because he has seen and lived through so much.

For clarity, June 6, 1944, also known as D-Day, was the start date of Operation Overlord, the Allied invasion of northern France to liberate Western Europe from Nazi Germany.

I have been blessed to walk all the hallowed beaches of Normandy, where this historic battle took place.  (Utah Beach, Pointe du Hoc, Omaha Beach, Gold Beach, Juno Beach, and Sword Beach.)

I have also visited the American Battle Monuments Commission, where many are laid to rest from the Battle of Normandy.

The Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial.

Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial – Wikipedia

Search ABMC Burials | American Battle Monuments Commission

As a professional Soldier, The Battle of Normandy is something I don’t take lightly and is forever itched in my heart.

Because, I’ve also walked the grounds of Ste Mere Eglise while in Normandy, this too is significant as a Paratrooper. Fort Bragg, where I participated in many Airborne Operations, existing out of high-performance aircraft, is now renamed Fort Liberty.  There are countless drop zones with one named “Ste Mere Eglise” or as we would call it the “Widow Maker.” It was nicknamed the widow maker because of how big the holes in the ground are compared to other drop zones.  I can attest to this if you’ve ever had a chance to do any Airborne Operations on any of the various drop zones at Fort Bragg, now Fort Liberty. I’ve had my share.

At Normandy D-Day celebrations, echoes of Ukraine’s looming fight | Britannica

“Ste Mere Eglise became the first French town liberated by Allied forces; its namesake church was made famous by 82nd Airborne Division paratrooper John Steele, whose parachute got caught on the church steeple, leaving him hanging there for two hours during the initial invasion.”

Through technology, I could hear the sounds recreated of what the German Machines sounded like during the Battle of Normandy.  Essentially several decibels louder than the M60 Machine gun I was trained on.

Weaponry of the Battle of Normandy – 1944 – D-Day Overlord (dday-overlord.com)

D-Day’s Forgotten Guns: 12 Firearms Used In June 1944 | An Official Journal Of The NRA (americanrifleman.org)

We hear gunshots now, and when we do, we look for cover.  The Americans and the allies that landed on the beaches had to deal with sounds of the German Machine Gun (MG) 34.  They also heard the sounds of MG 42, the best light machine guns of the war. The German’s fast rate of fire – up to 1,500 rounds per minute for the MG 42 – had a devastating effect on advancing Allied infantry.

Remember that the MG 42 was designed to use the standard German 7.92×57mm Mauser rifle round.  Compared to what I was trained on with the M60, Machine Gun, Caliber American general-purpose machine guns firing 7.62×51mm NATO cartridges from a disintegrating belt of M13 links. The M60; Machine Guns weren’t even classified until 1957.

It was because of these machine guns many knew getting off the boats during the battle of Normandy would not be easy. However, they pushed on and landed on the beaches through bravery; the rest is history.

Douglas MacArthur said “Whoever said the pen is mightier than the sword obviously never encountered automatic weapons.”

Words can never be enough to describe the bravery that took part in D-Day.  I believe that because I have served in Europe, as well as my father, only those that have served will understand the meaning of freedom will get it.

When you read the mission of the Army, it continues to evolve.  However, what is constant is defending this nation and our national interest.

The Army’s Vision and Strategy | The United States Army

Those in the military that have served and are serving understand what bravery is all about.

You must be brave to fight in wars, jump out of moving aircraft, survive family hardship, and make tough decisions.  There’s much more that I could write about bravery; however, I’m sure you have your own opinions and ideas too.

Every day, when I wake up, I know someone is keeping me safe, just as I did during my 30 years on active duty.

Dwight D. Eisenhower has said “Neither a wise nor a brave man lies down on the tracks of history to wait for the train of the future to run over him.”

I’ll close with two quotes by George S. Patton Jr.”Live for something rather than die for nothing.”

“The soldier is the Army. No army is better than its soldiers. The Soldier is also a citizen. In fact, the highest obligation and privilege of citizenship is that of bearing arms for one’s country.”

Bravery comes in many types of forms, it’s with a humble heart that I pay tribute to those that paid the ultimate sacrifice during D-Day 79 years ago that set us on a path to success.

When did you last think about your freedoms and those that continue to make it possible for you?

“All Gave Some; Some Gave All.”