Redstate

Posted at 8:30am on Jun. 6, 2008 D-Day.

Because. Just because.

By Moe Lane

I have also to announce to the House that during the night and the early hours of this morning the first of the series of landings in force upon the European Continent has taken place. In this case the liberating assault fell upon the coast of France. An immense armada of upwards of 4,000 ships, together with several thousand smaller craft, crossed the Channel. Massed airborne landings have been successfully effected behind the enemy lines, and landings on the beaches are proceeding at various points at the present time. The fire of the shore batteries has been largely quelled. The obstacles that were constructed in the sea have not proved so difficult as was apprehended. The Anglo-American Allies are sustained by about 11,000 firstline aircraft, which can be drawn upon as may be needed for the purposes of the battle. I cannot, of course, commit myself to any particular details. Reports are coming in in rapid succession. So far the Commanders who are engaged report that everything is proceeding according to plan. And what a plan! This vast operation is undoubtedly the most complicated and difficult that has ever taken place. It involves tides, wind, waves, visibility, both from the air and the sea standpoint, and the combined employment of land, air and sea forces in the highest degree of intimacy and in contact with conditions which could not and cannot be fully foreseen.

There are already hopes that actual tactical surprise has been attained, and we hope to furnish the enemy with a succession of surprises during the course of the fighting. The battle that has now begun will grow constantly in scale and in intensity for many weeks to come, and I shall not attempt to speculate upon its course. This I may say, however. Complete unity prevails throughout the Allied Armies. There is a brotherhood in arms between us and our friends of the United States. There is complete confidence in the supreme commander, General Eisenhower, and his lieutenants, and als6 in the commander of the Expeditionary Force, General Montgomery. The ardour and spirit of the troops, as I saw myself, embarking in these last few days was splendid to witness. Nothing that equipment, science or forethought could do has been neglected, and the whole process of opening this great new front will be pursued with the utmost resolution both by the commanders and by the United States and British Governments whom they serve.

Prime Minister Winston Churchill, Speech to the House of Commons, June 6, 1944

Posted in Miscellanea | Normandy | World War II — Comments (14)/ Email this page » / Read More »

Posted at 1:30pm on Nov. 12, 2007 Send Them There

Help Send WWII Vets to the WWII Memorial

By Mark I

This morning, ABC’s Good Morning America profiled a heroic organization with an urgent mission for our World War II veterans. Honor Flight is an organization whose mission is to provide free trips to Washington DC for WWII veterans so that they can view this country’s long overdue tribute to their sacrifices. The World War II Memorial on the National Mall is three years old. But, many of the surviving veterans who fought in that war are too old, infirm, or financially unable to travel to Washington themselves to see it. Honor Flight seeks to remove those obstacles for our veterans, and provides them with the experience of a lifetime. You can see the video of the GMA report here.

Honor Flight was founded by retired Air Force Captain Earl Morse. Capt. Morse is a physician’s assistant whose patients include many WWII veterans. He started the organization after it became clear to him that many of his patients, despite their desire to go to Washington, would be unable to do so on their own. The first flight took place in May of 2005 and consisted entirely of six private planes flying veterans to Manassas, Virginia, and then escorting the veterans to Washington for a tour of the memorial.

Today, Honor Flight partners with businesses and community groups to sponsor chartered commercial flights of 40 veterans and 17 sponsors each. World War II Veterans travel free and no donations are accepted from them. The cost of one flight is $10,000.

This Veteran’s Day, please consider making a donation to this very worthwhile organization. Or consider asking your community or church group to raise the funds necessary to sponsor a flight. Our World War II veterans are dying at a rate of 1,200-1,500 per day. After all they have given to this nation, the least any of us can do is help them get to Washington so they can see firsthand the honor and appreciation that the nation has bestowed upon them in the World War II Memorial.

Posted in Donations | Miscellanea | veterans | World War II | World War II Memorial — Comments (5)/ Email this page » / Read More »