June 4th, 1944, and the ships and landing craft are loaded. It has been almost five years since the start of the war and the once invincible Nazis have finally been driven back by the Soviets and the campaigns in Africa and Italy. But the Germans are strong in France and ready to repel any invasion. This war has a long way to go and the third front, France, is almost here.
Bad weather would postpone the invasion for a day, but the gliders and paratroopers were on their way to their destinations on the night of June 5th. And on that night, the greatest naval armada ever assembled began its transit to the beaches of Normandy.
June 6th is, of course, the 70th anniversary of the Allied landings in Normandy, what we now call D-Day. But on that day the outcome was far from certain and there was going to be a terrible price to be paid for the liberation of Europe. It might be fitting to take a few minutes to reflect on the sacrifices of the soldiers, sailors, and airmen who, seventy years ago, faced the greatest challenge of their time. These were our parents, and it is fitting that we reflect on them in the aircraft or ships or boats in darkness as they crossed the English Channel for the final assault on Hitler's empire. Their parents, our grandparents, waited by the radio for news of the invasion and wondered whether Western Union would be bringing them a telegram to say that their son or daughter had died bravely in defense of the country. Seventy years is not that long ago. Here is General Eisenhower's address to the troops, sent out on the eve of the battle. Regardless of your political views, Ronald Reagan gave a poignant address on the 40th anniversary of D-Day: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTLVIp1AjAg .
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