D-Day's 80th

[MuggsyB]

I had the pleasure of taking my older daughter to Normandy in late April 2024. It was loaded with American and British tourists.
I had last visited in 1986.

I visited St. Mere Elise, Utah Beach, Point du Hoc, Omaha Beach, Coleville-sur-mer American Cemetery, and the Polish Cemetery.  We ran out of time to visit Juno Beach.  I can't explain except you have to see them in person. 
I brought home Omaha Beach sand to put on the graves of my two Great Uncles who landed on Omaha.

Thank you to your uncles and I'm sorry for your loss. 

[WarriorFan]

In 10 years of liviing in Russia, the ONLY issue that really caused an argument (friendly one at that) was the role of USSR vs. the role of USA in the ending of WWII. 

US history tells us that we got involved were in it for like 100 days in the Euro theatre, had about 12 fatalities (exaggeration for effect), and won it for our Euro friends.
The real story is quite different.  No doubt that US involvement helped, but what we got taught in school was far from the truth.

Why do you think US presidents have historically participated in D-Day celebrations rather than rather than V-E day? 

Anyway, raising a glass to those to sacrificed.  All of them.

Learn history, folks.  It repeats itself.

[rocket surgeon]

I've been to Normandy. Despite your protestations that we did nothing to help them, the French people I met there remain very grateful. Guess they didn't get your memo.

  authentic French ww II rifle for sale, new condition, never been fired but dropped once

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

Please Tower, if that was the case, why isn't he in power now?  He was President, now he isn't.  Step back from the ledge.  Oops, might have provoked an MU82 tantrum.

My favorite post about honoring the global effort to thwart fascism is this.  Dismissing a failed effort to prevent the certification of an election (one could call that a failed coup).  Literally echoing the events that preceded the need for the heroism of the people we are honoring. 

In any case.  I am thankful for those that died for this effort--i know it must have been frightening for the others that survived the rest of their lives as they tried to transition back to day to day life. We've all been better off because of their sacrifice.  We are all responsible to ensure we never return to that dark time.

[dgies9156]

Anybody with any sense of history KNOWS the sacrifice of the Russian people in their efforts to defeat Nazi aggressors. Every town in every city we visited in Ukraine and Belarus has a monument to the Great Patriotic War and the suffering of the people for the Motherland. The names of the dead are engraved on many, many monuments and trust me, there's lot of them.

In my daughter's birthplace, Gomel, Belarus, there was three buildings left standing when Nazi aggressors retreated. This in a town of 350,000. It took decades to rebuild.

My daughter's DNA tests show her to be about 20 percent Jewish, meaning her natural grandparents found a way to survive the Holocaust. The Holocaust claimed between a third and half of the population of what is now Belarus at the time.

Look, we honor the men and women who served our country in D-Day and elsewhere during World War II as a reminder of their sacrifice and that of our nation in the cause of freedom. We're honored that they gave their lives to ensure we live in peace and prosperity. We should never forget our own sacrifice as well as that of the Russian people and other people of Europe and Asia who resisted Axis aggression. Their efforts to repel and ultimately defeat those who committed some of the worst human rights atrocities the world has ever seen should always be honored.

[MU82]

  authentic French ww II rifle for sale, new condition, never been fired but dropped once

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[lawdog77]

In 10 years of liviing in Russia, the ONLY issue that really caused an argument (friendly one at that) was the role of USSR vs. the role of USA in the ending of WWII. 

US history tells us that we got involved were in it for like 100 days in the Euro theatre, had about 12 fatalities (exaggeration for effect), and won it for our Euro friends.
The real story is quite different.  No doubt that US involvement helped, but what we got taught in school was far from the truth.

Why do you think US presidents have historically participated in D-Day celebrations rather than rather than V-E day? 

Anyway, raising a glass to those to sacrificed.  All of them.

Learn history, folks.  It repeats itself.

You should have went to a better school.

[Lennys Tap]

Ha.
The French at today's celebration  - not to mention the Brits, the Russians, Czechs, Belgians, Dutch, Poles and many others  - would laugh in your face if you suggested "WE" (i.e. the U.S.) defeated Hitler.
In fact, some of them probably would slug you for it.
I think we discovered the old guy who's not into World War II history.

The Brits and Russians were ann integral part of Hitler's defeat and Europe's liberation, to be sure. Most of the rest you mention had already been defeated and were under occupation. A whole lot of Frenchmen (and others) remain grateful for their liberation even if you don't think they should be. Any Frenchman who would want to "slug" Americans because they're not speaking German today? His problem.

[Lennys Tap]

The Original Antifa

Boy, would these guys be pissed at what you guys have turned their organization into.

[lawdog77]

The Brits and Russians were ann integral part of Hitler's defeat and Europe's liberation, to be sure. Most of the rest you mention had already been defeated and were under occupation. A whole lot of Frenchmen (and others) remain grateful for their liberation even if you don't think they should be. Any Frenchman who would want to "slug" Americans because they're not speaking German today? His problem.

The Dutch did very little to help during WWII.

[Scoop Snoop]

I expected the usual suspects of inserting their personal socio-political-historical beliefs into this thread, but I badly underestimated the extent and depth. The title was D-Day's 80th.

Yesterday, I listened to veterans tell their stories and was very moved. Imagine yourself as a young soldier being transported in a time machine to 6/6 /44 and about to leave a transport ship to face massive machine gun fire and watching guys be killed all around you, not knowing if you would be next. The invasion was about defeating the Nazis, and it was a massive, dangerous American and British operation with few other countries heavily involved. Others' crucial involvement in operations in the war-especially the Russians-is clearly undeniable, but not in Normandy.

One veteran said that he was the only one in his unit to make it through the machine gun fire. Others told of the horrors they experienced and of the eventual victory that day. They told about how their lives were never, ever the same. That day would haunt them forever. A friend of my father's was Jewish and once told us about his openly antisemitic CO on D-Day grinning and saying to his unit "you Jew boys are going in first".

I'll finish on a brighter note. One of the veterans in Normandy yesterday, 100 years old, brought a guest along-his 96-year-old fiancée'. 

[TSmith34, Inc.]

Boy, would these guys be pissed at what you guys have turned their organization into.

Boy, these guys that are still alive are pissed that their organization needs to defend America from the fascists within.

[dgies9156]

Yesterday, I listened to veterans tell their stories and was very moved. Imagine yourself as a young soldier being transported in a time machine to 6/6 /44 and about to leave a transport ship to face massive machine gun fire and watching guys be killed all around you, not knowing if you would be next.

Having gone to Normandy five years ago and having walked about 500 yards off the beach due to low tide, I could see the remnants of what the incoming troop ships saw. That was scary as all get out. One can only imagine what live fire did to those folks in the moments before they disembarked.

It was a very frightening sight and we should be thankful for every single man and woman's sacrifice that day. And every other day for that matter!

[Goose]

dgies

You said it perfectly. Great posst.

[NCMUFan]

I expected the usual suspects of inserting their personal socio-political-historical beliefs into this thread, but I badly underestimated the extent and depth. The title was D-Day's 80th.

Yesterday, I listened to veterans tell their stories and was very moved. Imagine yourself as a young soldier being transported in a time machine to 6/6 /44 and about to leave a transport ship to face massive machine gun fire and watching guys be killed all around you, not knowing if you would be next. The invasion was about defeating the Nazis, and it was a massive, dangerous American and British operation with few other countries heavily involved. Others' crucial involvement in operations in the war-especially the Russians-is clearly undeniable, but not in Normandy.

One veteran said that he was the only one in his unit to make it through the machine gun fire. Others told of the horrors they experienced and of the eventual victory that day. They told about how their lives were never, ever the same. That day would haunt them forever. A friend of my father's was Jewish and once told us about his openly antisemitic CO on D-Day grinning and saying to his unit "you Jew boys are going in first".

I'll finish on a brighter note. One of the veterans in Normandy yesterday, 100 years old, brought a guest along-his 96-year-old fiancée'. 

TY for sharing.

[Goose]

Love the post, snoop.

[MU82]

I expected the usual suspects of inserting their personal socio-political-historical beliefs into this thread, but I badly underestimated the extent and depth. The title was D-Day's 80th.

Yesterday, I listened to veterans tell their stories and was very moved. Imagine yourself as a young soldier being transported in a time machine to 6/6 /44 and about to leave a transport ship to face massive machine gun fire and watching guys be killed all around you, not knowing if you would be next. The invasion was about defeating the Nazis, and it was a massive, dangerous American and British operation with few other countries heavily involved. Others' crucial involvement in operations in the war-especially the Russians-is clearly undeniable, but not in Normandy.

One veteran said that he was the only one in his unit to make it through the machine gun fire. Others told of the horrors they experienced and of the eventual victory that day. They told about how their lives were never, ever the same. That day would haunt them forever. A friend of my father's was Jewish and once told us about his openly antisemitic CO on D-Day grinning and saying to his unit "you Jew boys are going in first".

I'll finish on a brighter note. One of the veterans in Normandy yesterday, 100 years old, brought a guest along-his 96-year-old fiancée'. 

Great stuff, Snoop.

Hard to even imagine the horrors that our troops faced in Normandy. So grateful for their bravery and sacrifice. My dad was in the Battle of the Bulge, another gory brawl. I think about him, and those he served with, nearly every day.

[Hards Alumni]

  authentic French ww II rifle for sale, new condition, never been fired but dropped once

This is the biggest, "I don't know history post/joke" of all time.

[JWags85]

Not taking shots at anyone specifically here, but I think many people are often misguided or mistaken about the foreign perceptions of Americans, especially among the older generations.  Through plenty of interactions and experiences in Europe and with Europeans in places like HK, Singapore, and elsewhere, the majority of negative American sentiment is from combative millenial types and pushback against loud arrogant American tourists.

Older Belgians/Dutch, who I spent weeks with annually, particularly are fond of America/Americans.  Obviously YMMV but I usually comeback from trips abroad feeling more positive about the US and our perception than you'd think from conversations domestically.

[Hards Alumni]

Not taking shots at anyone specifically here, but I think many people are often misguided or mistaken about the foreign perceptions of Americans, especially among the older generations.  Through plenty of interactions and experiences in Europe and with Europeans in places like HK, Singapore, and elsewhere, the majority of negative American sentiment is from combative millenial types and pushback against loud arrogant American tourists.

Older Belgians/Dutch, who I spent weeks with annually, particularly are fond of America/Americans.  Obviously YMMV but I usually comeback from trips abroad feeling more positive about the US and our perception than you'd think from conversations domestically.

Yes, YMMV, and there is a reason the Western Europeans like America.  Because they'd either be part of Germany now, or they'd have all been Soviets.  The Americans weren't as brutal to Eastern Asians as the Japanese were.

I think the reason there is a lot of negative sentiment among younger generations is because they have only grown up knowing the bad stuff the USA has done.  Very little good stuff.  Not to mention with the availability of information, younger generations aren't being spoon fed the same Americentric story that abounded for decades.

[MuggsyB]

Yes, YMMV, and there is a reason the Western Europeans like America.  Because they'd either be part of Germany now, or they'd have all been Soviets.  The Americans weren't as brutal to Eastern Asians as the Japanese were.

I think the reason there is a lot of negative sentiment among younger generations is because they have only grown up knowing the bad stuff the USA has done.  Very little good stuff.  Not to mention with the availability of information, younger generations aren't being spoon fed the same Americentric story that abounded for decades.

Maybe they're ill-inforned and taught a lot of garbage?  There's nothing wrong with being "Americentric".  We're the greatest nation in the history of the world, even in the midst of repulsive leadership on both sides of the political spectrum.  There's a reason people want to come here in droves and have since our founding. 

[Jockey]

Maybe they're ill-inforned and taught a lot of garbage?  There's nothing wrong with being "Americentric".  We're the greatest nation in the history of the world, even in the midst of repulsive leadership on both sides of the political spectrum.  There's a reason people want to come here in droves and have since our founding.

You're a fool.

[rocket surgeon]

You're a fool.

    why you feel so strongly against Muggs comment that you need to respond with a personal attack is far worse than any pro-american comment anyone could make and quite revealing of your character and lack thereof

  shame on you!

[4everwarriors]

He wants revenge, he attempted to overturn an election, is threatening more violence if he loses again, is using Mein Kampf as source material in his speeches when he successfully finishes a sentence,  and project 2025.

Honest question Fahrenheit...back in your fire fightin' days, were you as anti law and order as you appear to be now? I find it extremely odd, based on anecdotal evidence, that you would be. What brought you to this point, hey?

[Hards Alumni]

Maybe they're ill-inforned and taught a lot of garbage?  There's nothing wrong with being "Americentric".  We're the greatest nation in the history of the world, even in the midst of repulsive leadership on both sides of the political spectrum.  There's a reason people want to come here in droves and have since our founding.

Or maybe you've been eating the slop at the trough too long.