D-Day Should Be Remembered Every Day
This day has so much significance that we shouldn’t just leave it for one day of the year.
We just passed the 77th Anniversary of the D-Day Invasion. The largest amphibious assault is known to mankind. The Invasion of Normandy by the Allies would overthrow Nazi Germany. Think about the gravity of this today.
Europe today is a direct result of the outcome of World War II. The Invasion was the beginning of the end for Hitler and the Nazis. Something that I find profound is that, in all honesty, Germany, England, and the United States knew it was going to happen for about two years. No one knew exactly when. So, Germany knew a huge force would be needed to re-enter Europe for the Allies, and they had two years to prepare, but Western tenacity would prevail. That alone is amazing.
After a week of the Invasion, more than 326,000 troops, 54,000 vehicles, and 104,000 tons of supplies had arrived on the beaches. This Invasion encompassed troops that were by the sea, and air. These troops that landed on D-Day came from Australia, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, France, Greece, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. The naval forces included over 6,900 vessels.[1]
The figures for deaths on the beaches vary. Among Allied deaths, the figures range from 2,500 to 4,414. The Germans are estimated to have lost around 9,000 troops. The very fear of this mission cannot be described in words.[2]
Many soldiers that were in the Landing Craft could not swim and were petrified of the water. Then once it got close enough to the shore, they faced immense machine gun fire from well-fortified positions sitting in overwatch over the beach. I would suggest watching Saving Private Run or The Longest Day to better understand what they faced. From Allies’ position on the beach, it was either advance or surely die. They may die while advancing, but they would certainly die if they just sat there.
What kind of men were these that were on the beaches? Well, some were farmers, schoolteachers, lawyers, bankers, doctors, and almost any other form of occupation of the time that you could imagine. The majority were not career Soldiers. So, one may ask what kind of bravery one has to have to charge that beach? I think that is a valid question, and for me, I consider the participants probably some of the most scared brave men ever. They were faced with fight or die, and they chose to fight.
It is a fact Europe would not be the same if these brave men did not prevail. In America, we simply celebrate June 6th as the Anniversary of D-Day but remember, they kept fighting well past June 6th. I think it is appropriate to remember these brave men every day because our world would be vastly different if it were not for them. They were part of the greatest generation.
Luckily for us in America, we have had many great generations. Generations that defend the Constitution and our nation’s intent, while others simply grip and complain about trivial things. I thank these great Servicemembers for providing us that freedom. America Deserves to remember them.
The Vet
What is D-Day? (2022). Retrieved from the d-day story: https://theddaystory.com/discover/what-is-d-day/#:~:text=On%20D%2DDay%2C%20the%20Allies,Beach%2C%20and%207%2C900%20airborne%20troops.
[1] (What is D-Day?, 2022)
[2] Ibid.
