Sixty-four years ago today, the initial landings of the Invasion of Normandy began. The invasion and establishment of Allied forces in Normandy, France during Operation Overlord in World War II sought to liberate mainland Europe from Nazi occupation.
There are countless stories from brave soldiers who took part in this historic event, but I would like to highlight two from my fair state: Elbert Adcock and Ambrose Underwood.
The Department of Veterans Affairs states that World War II veterans are dying at rate of more than 1,000/day, with their numbers quickly dwindling. According to Martin Morgan, historian for the World War II Museum in New Orleans, “…judging by the passing of the World War I veterans, we’re predicting they will all be gone by 2020.”
They are called the Greatest Generation, and they are fading fast. There are so many stories by these fine men and women who were there and together made history. My grandfather was one of them. Had I known then what I know now, I would have listened more to his stories and asked more questions — at least try to record his piece of history to share with the next generation.
Because soon, all we’ll have left are a few stories …
Soldiers’ Angels of Alabama » In remembrance, and an Alabama D-Day connection
[…] (originally posted to my personal blog) […]
YatPundit
One of the things that the WWII Museum here in New Orleans does is an oral history project. They’ll get a vet talking and record the conversation and archive it. a number of the exhibits in the museum have audio sections where you can pick up a headset and listen to a vet’s personal story about the incident featured in that particular exhibit. One of the regulars with this is Dick Winters of “Band of Brothers” fame, because they interviewed him so much for the book, and Prof. Ambrose was the founder of the museum.
Cookie
Excellent post amiga. They were, without a shadow of a doubt, “The Greatest Generation”. We attempted to have our grand opening of the Military Hospitality Room at the airport for today, but, the wheels of government move very slowly, so our projected date is on July 3rd of the 4th of July weekend….
BTW…my post will be up till the end of the day….
Cookie’s last blog post: What the USO WON’T do, the Marines, Seabee’s and Army "Can Do"…A Hospitality Room.