D-Day: 65th Anniversary commemorations

**Stewy S** · 06-06-2009, 07:32 PM

My best mates Grandad lost a leg on 6th June '44 & my Uncle was wounded on the 7th. Stewy S

**BOB COLEMAN** · 06-06-2009, 08:13 PM

A member of the 505th PIR, 82nd Airborne, who was in poor health returned to Normandy this week. On June 5th, he visited the American Cemetary above Omaha Beach. During the evening, he passed away peacefully in his sleep, in Normandy, 65 years to the day after he jumped in to the dark. How ironic!
My grandfather had two brothers of Austrian heritage who worked for him before the war. Both brothers landed on the 6th of June, one being KIA. Following the war, the surviving brother sponsered his cousin and her husband to come to the USA as medical treatment for their young daughter was unavailable in Eastern Austria. The brother-in-law, was a member of the 100th Gebersjaeger. He fought at Leningrad, Monte Casino and was captured by the Americans in Southern France. Odd how families caught up on opposite sides of the war and canme together after it's conclusion.

**John Brandon** · 06-06-2009, 08:47 PM

by BOB COLEMAN

A member of the 505th PIR, 82nd Airborne, who was in poor health returned to Normandy this week. On June 5th, he visited the American Cemetary above Omaha Beach. During the evening, he passed away peacefully in his sleep, in Normandy, 65 years to the day after he jumped in to the dark. How ironic!
My grandfather had two brothers of Austrian heritage who worked for him before the war. Both brothers landed on the 6th of June, one being KIA. Following the war, the surviving brother sponsered his cousin and her husband to come to the USA as medical treatment for their young daughter was unavailable in Eastern Austria. The brother-in-law, was a member of the 100th Gebersjaeger. He fought at Leningrad, Monte Casino and was captured by the Americans in Southern France. Odd how families caught up on opposite sides of the war and canme together after it's conclusion.

Bob, my story pails into insignificance to that one.

Sad end to the anniversary

**John Brandon** · 06-06-2009, 08:51 PM

Ok seeing as we're all getting sentimental, I would like to share with you all one of my all time favourite poems......................Every time I read this I do get chocked up

Stay with me God the night is dark
The night is cold, my little spark of courage dies,
The night is long
Be with me God and make me strong.

I love a game, I love a fight
I hate the dark, I love the light
I love my child, I love my wife
I am no coward, I love life.

Life with its change of mood and shade
I want to live I’m not afraid
But me and mine are hard to part
Oh unknown God lift up my heart.

I know that death is but a door
I know what we are fighting for,
Peace for the kids, our brothers freed
A kinder world, a cleaner breed.

I’m but the man my mother bore
A simple man and nothing more
But, God of strength and gentleness
Be pleased to make me nothing less.

Help me oh God when death is near
To mock the haggard face of fear,
That when I fall, if fall I must
My soul may triumph in the dust.

When the last sod is thrown
And the last volley fired
The last battle won
And the last foe retired
The last bivouac made under the ground

Soldier sleep sound.

**herrgeezer** · 06-06-2009, 09:54 PM

Took a little time out today to think about those who served on D-Day and those who continue to serve.

Photograph of the soldier in the background image used by permission from Mark Bando. TRIGGER TIME - 101st Airborne WW2

Helmets are part of my collection.

**Stewy S** · 06-06-2009, 09:56 PM

by herrgeezer

Took a little time out today to think about those who served on D-Day and those who continue to serve.

Background image used by permission of Mark Bando. TRIGGER TIME - 101st Airborne WW2

That's a great pic! That sums it up nicely. Stewy S

**ironcross1** · 06-07-2009, 06:33 AM

Awesome stuff guys , cheers Raymond

**Nige H** · 06-12-2009, 09:40 PM

I went to the 50 th, and found the whole experience very moving. I'm now think that the 70 th maybe a good time to go, due to the age of the veterans and I would like to visit the area once again.

Nige

**Paul D** · 06-12-2009, 10:29 PM

Veterans from the 6th and 9th Battalions Durham Light Infantry who fought in the Battle of Lingevres / Verrieres on 14/6/1944 against the Panzer Lehr Division.

They were part of my group at the commeration in Lingevres on 7th June 2009.

Note the guy on the left wearing his fathers medals from the first world war , including a Military medal and two bars !!!