On D-Day: Thank You Is Not Enough

June 6, 1944 Will Always Be a Day to Remember

"Taxis to Hell – and Back – Into the Jaws of Death" is a photograph taken on June 6, 1944, by Robert F. Sargent, a chief photographer's mate in the United States Coast Guard.

by Darren Doyle, news director:
As I perused through the internet this morning, I read multiple articles about the day that actually may have saved the entire world, which was June 6, 1944, more commonly known as "D-Day."

Today marks D-Day's 80th anniversary.

The picture above is probably the most well known and documented photo of the horrific event that saw the loss of 4,414 allied soldiers, including 2,501 Americans. The original caption of the photo was "Taxis to Hell – and Back – Into the Jaws of Death," which was taken on that fateful day, by Robert F. Sargent, a chief photographer's mate in the United States Coast Guard.

The term "D-Day" is a term used to describe the first day of any major military operation. This one just happens to be the most famous.

As I sit at a desk in an air-conditioned office, with my American flag proudly displayed out front, I can't begin to comprehend the utter terror and fear the men on these landing crafts experienced as the fronts of the crafts opened up into what would be so many of their last moments on Earth. And here I sit, usually complaining about the most trivial things in my very normal life.

Despite that terror, they went anyway.

According to the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, The D-Day operation of June 6, 1944, brought together the land, air, and sea forces of the allied armies in what became known as the largest amphibious invasion in military history.

The operation, given the codename OVERLORD, delivered five naval assault divisions to the beaches of Normandy, France. The beaches were given the code names UTAH, OMAHA, GOLD, JUNO, and SWORD. The invasion force included 7,000 ships and landing craft manned by over 195,000 naval personnel from eight allied countries.

Almost 133,000 troops from the United States, the British Commonwealth, and their allies, landed on D-Day. Total casualties from these countries during the landing numbered 10,300. By June 30, over 850,000 men, 148,000 vehicles, and 570,000 tons of supplies had landed on the Normandy shores. Fighting by the brave soldiers, sailors, and airmen of the allied forces western front, and Russian forces on the eastern front, led to the defeat of German Nazi forces.

On May 7, 1945, German General Alfred Jodl signed an unconditional surrender at Reims, France.

Arguably, there has never been a more divisive time in the United States than today. The unnecessary magnification of our differences have caused so many things to go wrong in our current society, but surely there is one thing on which we all can agree: The soldiers that took it upon themselves to save the world are part of the world's greatest generation.

They had something deep within their beings that we just don't have today. I'd like to think maybe I could muster that up from somewhere if I had to, but the fact is, I have never had to, thanks to these heroes.

Several Edmonson County veterans fought at Normandy Beaches. Most everyone is familiar with the inspiring photos of our local veterans from all generations that are displayed in the Edmonson County Courthouse. I had the privilege of transferring every single photo to a website that can be viewed anytime. I strongly encourage everyone to visit EdmonsonVets.com, where you can scroll through more than 1,200 photos of our local veterans. They are separated into multiple categories for easy viewing.

Saying 'thank you,' isn't enough, but it's all I got. I'm proud to have known some from this generation--a generation that is nearly gone. Even if all the world's WWII veterans remain as healthy as humanly possible, they are nearly 100 years old or older. They will leave us in the near future. What I pray that will not leave is their memory and I hope we all take a moment and whisper a thank you prayer for their sacrifices and dedication.