D-Day Plus 80 Years

By Brad Beckett

Omaha Beach today.

Eighty years ago yesterday, on June 6, 1944, Operation Overlord (aka D-Day) was launched with nearly 160,000 allied troops (led by the United States) invading occupied France – marking the beginning of the end for Nazi Germany. Today’s infographic from Encyclopedia Britannica gives us a quick snapshot of that momentous day.  As you know, a significant & growing number of those men are no longer with us, as well the entire World War Two generation.  If you’re fortunate enough to encounter one of them, shake their hand and thank them for their bravery, their commitment, and for the freedoms we often take for granted today.   And, as always, have a safe & Happy Friday!!!

“We’re here to mark that day in history when the Allied armies joined in battle to reclaim this continent to liberty. For 4 long years, much of Europe had been under a terrible shadow. Free nations had fallen, Jews cried out in the camps, millions cried out for liberation. Europe was enslaved, and the world prayed for its rescue. Here in Normandy the rescue began. Here the Allies stood and fought against tyranny in a giant undertaking unparalleled in human history.” – President Ronald Reagan;  in remarks made at Pointe Du Hoc, Normandy France, at the 40th anniversary ceremony on June 6th 1984.