Meanwhile, 67 years ago in France...

[Texas Dan Mosby]

Madness and mayhem envelops the Normandy coast in France, as Operation Overlord kicks off into full swing. Attackers and defenders alike seek to gain intelligence and assess the situation as confusion runs amok.

Thousands of allied aircraft completely dominate the skies over the objective area by suppressing axis aircraft, delivering tons of ordnance on target, and strafing targets of opportunity. The axis is blinded from above.

A vast armada of naval vessels carries the force and the equipment needed for success. They pound inland targets with indirect fires. They significantly contribute to the success of the invasion, and help set the conditions for the ground assault.

Ground forces start performing one of the most difficult tasks in all of warfare, as they assault the prepared defensive positions created by a competent and professional military.

Airborne Infantry continue to consolidate on the ground and attempt to reach their objectives. Though scattered throughout the area, those that actually landed on their intended drop zones move to complete the mission with what forces they have available. Many troops find themselves dropped miles and miles away from their DZ's and simply fight the enemy they find, when they find them.

Confusion is rampant on both sides as communications are taken out, or simply unavailable. Reports are sporadic and untimely.

Some in the Axis forces are still uncertain if the Normandy invasion is the main effort, or simply a supporting effort for the "real" invasion. Some in the Allied forces are uncertain if they can maintain and supply a foothold long enough to expand it and begin the push into the mainland.

Success in Normandy will come as a result of lessons learned in places like Dieppe, Sicily, and Anzio.

The beginning of the end has finally arrived.

/salute

[10Shooter]

Franklin Roosevelt's D-Day Prayer

June 6, 1944

My fellow Americans: Last night, when I spoke with you about the fall of Rome, I knew at that moment that troops of the United States and our allies were crossing the Channel in another and greater operation. It has come to pass with success thus far.

And so, in this poignant hour, I ask you to join with me in prayer:

Almighty God: Our sons, pride of our Nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion, and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity.

Lead them straight and true; give strength to their arms, stoutness to their hearts, steadfastness in their faith.

They will need Thy blessings. Their road will be long and hard. For the enemy is strong. He may hurl back our forces. Success may not come with rushing speed, but we shall return again and again; and we know that by Thy grace, and by the righteousness of our cause, our sons will triumph.

They will be sore tried, by night and by day, without rest-until the victory is won. The darkness will be rent by noise and flame. Men's souls will be shaken with the violences of war.

For these men are lately drawn from the ways of peace. They fight not for the lust of conquest. They fight to end conquest. They fight to liberate. They fight to let justice arise, and tolerance and good will among all Thy people. They yearn but for the end of battle, for their return to the haven of home.

Some will never return. Embrace these, Father, and receive them, Thy heroic servants, into Thy kingdom.

And for us at home -- fathers, mothers, children, wives, sisters, and brothers of brave men overseas -- whose thoughts and prayers are ever with them--help us, Almighty God, to rededicate ourselves in renewed faith in Thee in this hour of great sacrifice.

Many people have urged that I call the Nation into a single day of special prayer. But because the road is long and the desire is great, I ask that our people devote themselves in a continuance of prayer. As we rise to each new day, and again when each day is spent, let words of prayer be on our lips, invoking Thy help to our efforts.

Give us strength, too -- strength in our daily tasks, to redouble the contributions we make in the physical and the material support of our armed forces.

And let our hearts be stout, to wait out the long travail, to bear sorrows that may come, to impart our courage unto our sons wheresoever they may be.

And, O Lord, give us Faith. Give us Faith in Thee;
Faith in our sons; Faith in each other; Faith in our united crusade. Let not the keenness of our spirit ever be dulled. Let not the impacts of temporary events, of temporal matters of but fleeting moment let not these deter us in our unconquerable purpose.

With Thy blessing, we shall prevail over the unholy forces of our enemy. Help us to conquer the apostles of greed and racial arrogancies. Lead us to the saving of our country, and with our sister Nations into a world unity that will spell a sure peace a peace invulnerable to the schemings of unworthy men. And a peace that will let all of men live in freedom, reaping the just rewards of their honest toil.

Thy will be done, Almighty God.
Amen.




Oh, can you imagine if we had such a statement of nationwide prayer today.....

[AEA]

They are not forgotten!

[The Annoyed Man]

Oh, can you imagine if we had such a statement of nationwide prayer today.....

From the current guy? It would never happen. The ACLU would threaten to sue first.

[Jumping Frog]

Franklin Roosevelt's D-Day Prayer

I like the famous "Patton's speech to the Third Army: Somewhere in England, June 5th, 1944"

Fair warning that it has a few four letter words mixed into Patton's colorful comments.