Comment by Scott Lyons on April 21, 2009 at 11:01pm

Comment by Scott Lyons on April 21, 2009 at 11:02pm

I shot the picture below at the National WWII Museum in NOLA about 7 years ago.

Comment by Scott Lyons on May 31, 2009 at 9:49pm

EISENHOWER'S LETTER TO THE TROOPS

Comment by Scott Lyons on May 31, 2009 at 10:45pm

U.S. Divisions Active in the Normandy Campaign

From: 6 June 1944 to 24 July 1944

1st Infantry Division
2d Infantry Division
4th Infantry Division
5th Infantry Division
8th Infantry Division
9th Infantry Division
28th Infantry Division
29th Infantry Division
30th Infantry Division
35th Infantry Division
79th Infantry Division
83d Infantry Division
90th Infantry Division
2d Armored Division
3d Armored Division
4th Armored Division
6th Armored Division
82d Airborne Division
101st Airborne Division

Comment by Wes Burritt on June 1, 2009 at 9:47am

Hi Lisa,

There is a new book out about the 3rd Battalion, 506th PIR of the 101st covering their training, time in England and actions during the Normandy Campaign. The title is "Tonight We Die as Men" by Ian Gardner and Roger Day. I highly recommend it as it adds new material to the subject. The 3rd Battalion had the highest casualty rate of any battalion of the 101st in Normandy. I've been lucky enough to talk to one of the survivors, Fred Bahlau, whom figures prominently in the book. Fred won a silver star for his actions in helping secure the bridges over the Douve. Fred is a great story teller too! For more info on the subject, be sure to check out Mark Bando's books about the 101st. He interviewed hundreds of vets over the past 30 years and has a lot of photos not found in other books.

Comment by Erwin Leydekkers on June 1, 2009 at 3:25pm

Barnes & Noble, brings back memories of DC, I liked it there, drinking coffee, looking for books, I love it. Thursday night I am leaving for Normandy. As every year it will be great. I am looking forward to it.

Comment by Melissa Amateis on June 5, 2009 at 9:55am

Eisenhower was a great man. I can hardly believe it's been 65 years since this momentous day.

Comment by Michael J. Saxe on June 5, 2009 at 10:07am

The "anniversary" of this incredible day where mere children became men or lived their entire lives in a mere moment....a breath of time is upon us....let us remember the sacrifices made to ensure we live the lives we have.....remember to look at the elderly with a great deal of respect for many of these people landed on the shores and lost friend, mate and many a brother,,,,,let us also remember the sacrifices made in the USA while these young people were making the ultimate sacrifice in order to protect the entire world. Every time I see a license plate with a veterans symbol, purple heart, P.O.W. etc... I always make sure I pull along side and thank the occupant for the sacrifices made and still felt today. A simple word to a person like that can really strike a special spot and let them know they are , to this day, our hero's....the hero comes in many shapes and forms. It's to bad society needs to be reminded to think of these people. Forever American and proud...
Michael

Comment by Scott Lyons on June 5, 2009 at 10:10am

Wow, excellent take Mike - glad you are back my brother.

Comment by Wes Burritt on June 5, 2009 at 10:22am

Below is the prayer tha Lt. Colonel Robert Wolverton 3/506th PIR, 101st Airborne, said to his troops prior to boarding their C-47s for the jump into normandy. I copied this from: http://www.ww2airborne.com/airborneprayers.html



June 5th, 1944 - The men were called together, and they stood in the orchard on either side of a low earthen mound which fenced the fields. Upon the earthen hedgerow stood Lt. Col. Robert L. Wolverton, commanding officer of 3rd battalion, 506th PIR. And Col. Wolverton said...



"Men I am not a religious man and I don't know your feelings in this matter, but I am going to ask you to pray with me for the success of the mission before us. And while we pray let us get on our knees and not look down, but up with faces raised to the sky.

God All Mighty, in a few short hours we will be in battle with the enemy. We do not join battle afraid. We do not ask favors or indulgence, but ask that if You will, use us as Your instrument for the Right and an aid in returning peace to the world.

We do not know or seek what our fate will be. We ask only this, that if die we must, that we die as men would die, without complaining, without pleading, and safe in the feeling that we have done our best for what we believed was right.

Oh Lord, protect our loved ones and be near us in the fire ahead and with us now as we pray to you."



All was silent for two minutes as the men were left, each with his individual thoughts. Then the Colonel ordered, "Move Out".

A few hours later, Colonel Wolverton was shot dead by the enemy as he hung tangled in a tree in an orchard just outside of St. Come-du-Mont, Normandy, France.


Wes

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