D-Day Anniversary

[Haggis@wk]

Think of the courage it took to take that first step. I suspect many of the men who saw this vista died without getting to shore. What made them take that step? Certainly discipline strengthened them, but these men knew that they faced one of the most evil regimes the world had ever known.

Not for nothing do we call this our “Greatest Generation.” Most of them are gone now, my father among them, but their valor and dedication live on to challenge, inspire, rebuke, and encourage us. We should not let this date pass without some remembrance as long as free people cherish their liberty.

[dai bread]

Herd mentality helps a lot. Not to put down the bravery of those troops, but if everyone's doing something it makes it much easier follow along and do your part.

I don't think they knew how evil the Nazi regime was then. That came later as the advancing troops uncovered the death camps.

WW2 is one of the few wars that I consider justified. The other is the war against Napoleon, for much the same reason, though Napoleon's regime was nowhere near as bad as the Nazis. You just don't march in to someone else's country and take it over. Even colonial settlers faced substantial opposition from the locals, once the locals realised what was happening.

[piqaboo]

It does take courage to be that first one. Too often, a boat/ship didnt get in far enough, folks stepped off, over their head, and drowned.
More in the Pacific than on D-day, where the coasts were better known, of course.