“These are the boys of Pointe du Hoc. These are the men who took the cliffs. These are the champions who helped free a continent. These are the heroes who helped end a war.” — President Ronald Reagan, on the 40th Anniversary of D-Day
“Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well-trained, well equipped, and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely. I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty, and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full Victory!” — General Dwight D. Eisenhower
“The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you.” — General Dwight D Eisenhower
“Men, I am not a religious man, and I don’t know your feelings in this matter, but I am going to ask you to pray with me for the success of the mission before us. And while we pray, let us get on our knees and not look down but up with faces raised to the sky so that we can see God and ask His blessing in what we are about to do.” — Lieutenant Colonel Robert L. Wolverton, commanding officer of 3rd battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment
“Well, is it or isn’t it the invasion?” — Adolf Hitler to Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel on June 6, 1944
“Believe me, gentlemen, the first 24 hours of this invasion will be decisive! It will become for the Allies, as well as for the Germans, the longest day—the longest day.” — German Field Marshall Erwin Rommel
“Suddenly, all hell let loose. The beach was under fire from shells, mortars and machine guns, we dived for cover. The sea was covered in blood and vomit and flies began to arrive by the thousands, which created another nightmare. We continued all night and the following day without a break. Slowly, slowly we overcame all the nightmares. There was no lack of humor. A soldier coming ashore asked, ‘Is this a private beach? I was promised a private beach. If not, I am not staying.’ And we heard, ‘My mother told me not to travel by air, she thought it was much safer by sea.’” — David Teacher, No. 71 Royal Air Force Beach Unit
“Here in Normandy the rescue began. Here the Allies stood and fought against tyranny in a giant undertaking unparalleled in human history.” — President Ronald Reagan, on the 40th Anniversary of D-Day
We at FR salute the brave men of the Allied Forces who performed gallantly on this day, 79 years ago. May their courage and sacrifice never be forgotten.
