Saturday, June 6 is the 65th anniversary of D-Day. It was on that day in 1944 that Dwight Eisenhower, supreme commander of Allied forces, launched the invasion of France that led to the ultimate defeat of Nazi Germany and the victorious end of World War II. Preparations involved 150,000 soldiers and 5000 ships, yet plans remained secret from Germany — a phenomenal accomplishment that would not be possible in today’s world of satellite reconnaissance.
In the hours before the start of the operation, General Eisenhower addressed the troops. Notice his emphasis on freedom, and contrast it to the typical political Newspeak of today:
“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…The free men of the world are marching together to victory!…Good Luck! And let us all beseech the blessings of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.”
To “the greatest generation” that fought the war, the struggle between allies and axis powers was the basic good-versus-evil fight to the death. Had Operation Overlord failed, it is probable that all of continental Europe would still be under the jackboot of National Socialism.
You can learn more about D-Day and the events leading up to it at http://www.militaryhistoryonline.com/wwii/dday/.
The Libertarian Party of Georgia salutes with gratitude those veterans whose courage literally saved the flame of liberty on D-Day.
