Today marks the 66^th anniversary of D-Day, the daring invasion that turned the tide of World War II and preserved liberty and justice.

It was a bold attack matched only by the incredible risk involved.  150,000 allied forces stormed the beaches of Normandy, France.  Many historians and military experts have said D-Day succeeded only because of the sheer bravery demonstrated by each soldier. 

The number of dead is still unclear but most experts say nearly 5,000 Americans died that day.

It’s hard to imagine what our world might be like today had those brave men failed their mission.  We owe them a great debt of gratitude.

In honor of the “Greatest Generation” and Veterans from all wars, I want to share this song from Mark Schutlz.  He wrote “Letters from War” after reading some powerful letters written to his great grandmother by her son.  He wrote those letters while serving overseas during World War II.

Here are the lyrics for my hearing impaired friends.

Mark Schutlz – Letters from War

She walked to the mailbox
On that bright summers day
Found a letter from her son
In a war far away

He spoke of the weather
And good friends that he'd made
Said I'd been thinking 'bout dad
And the life that he had
That’s why I'm here today
And that the end he said
You are what I'm fighting for
It was the first of the letters from war

She started writing
You're good and you're brave
What a father that you'll be someday
make it home
make it safe

She wrote every night as she prayed

Late in December

A day she'll not forget
Oh her tears stained the paper
With every word that she read

It said "I was up on a hill
I was out there alone
When the shots all rang out
And bombs were exploding
And thats when I saw him
He came back for me
And though he was captured
A man set me free
And that man was your son
He asked me to write to you
I told him i would, oh I swore"
It was the last of the letters from war

And she prayed he was living
Kept on believing
And wrote every night just to say

You are good

And you're brave
what a father that you'll be someday
Make it home
Make it safe
Still she kept writing each day

Then two years later
Autumn leaves all around
A car pulled in the driveway
And she fell to the ground
And out stepped a captain
Where her boy used to stand

He said "mom I'm following orders
From all of your letters
And I've come home again",
He ran into hold her
And dropped all his bags on the floor
Holding all of her letters from war

Bring him home
Bring him home
Bring him home

---

The Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces, Dwight D. Eisenhower, wrote a letter to the troops.  That letter was read to the troops just before the invasion.

In the letter he talks about a “great crusade” and prays for the “blessings of Almighty God.”   He tells the troop that the “hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere” rest upon you.

Here is the audio of Dwight D. Eisenhower reading that letter.

Here is the text for my hearing impaired  friends.

Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force!

You are about to embark upon a great crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers in arms on other fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world.

Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped and battle hardened, he will fight savagely.

But this is the year 1944! Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of 1940-41. The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats, in open battle, man to man. Our air offensive has seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on the ground. Our home fronts have given us an overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions of war, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men. The tide has turned! The free men of the world are marching together to victory!

I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory!

Good Luck! And let us all beseech the blessings of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.

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Check out these links for more information on D-Day.

The National D-Day Memorial Foundation

The National WW II Museum

American Battle Monuments Commission

Army-Military Features

World War II History

Military History On-Line

To our Veterans and their families … THANK YOU!

Psalm 41:1-3

How blessed is he who considers the helpless;
The LORD will deliver him in a day of trouble.

The LORD will protect him and keep him alive,
And he shall be called blessed upon the earth;
And do not give him over to the desire of his enemies.

The LORD will sustain him upon his sickbed;
In his illness, You restore him to health.

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God Bless America!
 
Neil Middleton <><
WYMT Mountain News
Appreciate Freedom – Thank a Vet!

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