Late Thoughts On the 75th Anniversary of D-Day

Dearest readers, I apologize for this late post. I was on a lovely vacation last week and perfectly happy to take a break from the real world.

The definition of a hero is often vague and used as per the perspective of the individual or individuals who are speaking. But there is one definition of a hero that is universally accepted: one of gives his or her life to defend their country.

This past Thursday was the 75th anniversary of D-Day. Also known as the Normandy landings, the Allies stormed the beaches of Normandy. Their goal was to liberate Europe from the stranglehold of the Nazis. Thousands of Allied troops jumped off the boats; many did not have the chance to step on the beach. If they did, getting to the beach and living to free Europe was a lesser possibility.

D-Day changed the course of the war. Without D-Day, history and the world that we have today would have been completely different. The men who gave their lives on that day are the reason that we continue to live in a free society and a free world.

The clip below is from Saving Private Ryan (1998). I do have to warn that the clip contains graphic elements of war. Watch at your own risk if you are sensitive to such scenes.

May the memories of the men who died that day forever be a blessing. Z”l.

Advertisement

Flashback Friday- Saving Private Ryan

Since the beginning of Hollywood, war movies have become standard fare for filmmakers and audiences.

But there are only a few that are as hard hitting, educational  and remind audiences of the true nature of war like Saving Private Ryan (1998).

Private Ryan (Matt Damon) is one of four brothers fighting in World War II. His brothers have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. It is up to Captain Miller (Tom Hanks) to lead his team who have survived the Invasion of Normandy, to find Private Ryan and make sure that he returns home.

This is not your parent’s John Wayne era World War II movie. This movie does not spare the horrors and the damage that war creates. It is a brutal, in your face and reminds audiences of the sacrifices that our military men and women make for our freedom and safety.

I recommend it.

D-Day

This past Saturday was the 71st Anniversary of D-Day.

160,000 Allied troops invaded the beach at Normandy Beach. This was the first step in breaking the hold that the Nazis had on Europe.

More than 9,000 men were killed or injured in process. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten.

The following clip is from the  1998 film, Saving Private Ryan.

I need to warn you that this clip may contain graphic scenes of war. Watch at your own risk if scenes like these make you uneasy.