71 years ago today...

[Speirs]

71 years ago yesterday just before midnight, and today at about 0630 marked the anniversary of the Allied invasion of Europe during WWII. Rain and fog delayed the invasion by a day, but just before midnight on June 5, 1944, the US 101st, 82nd and British 6th Airborne divisions landed by parachute and glider all over Normandy with different objectives to prepare the battlefield for invasion. The next day at about 0630, the landings on the beaches of Normandy began. The beaches were divided into codenamed beaches: Utah, Omaha, Juno, Gold, and Sword. US forces landed at Utah and Omaha, while the British landed at Sword and Gold, with a Canadian division landing at Juno. Just thought I'd give a really quick background, and a post so we can be sure to remember the sacrifices made by all sides.

"You are about to embark on the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers-in-arms on other Fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of the Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world." -Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme Commander of Allied Forces