This was sent to me by my friend Frank who lives in the Netherlands and has the wondeful web site:

http://www.normandy1944.info

Dear friend....

Today, 61 years ago....200.000 young brave souls set foot on a foreign soil where they would walk the hazardous path to freedom together....

History, is not always about plain numbers, clear figures and cold hard facts...History deals with humanity...for it is man who writes history...so what better understanding of history can you have then from the stories of the men and women that were there when that history was written....

This is in your honor.....

61 years ago today....

61 years ago today, upon the high waters' wings they came,

61 years ago today, searching for the unknown the paths to pave,

61 years ago today, shrouds of mist scorched by heaven's flame,

61 years ago today, invisible hands split open the beckoning waves.

61 years ago today, from within themselves they rose, facing their fears,

61 years ago today, soaked screams stilled by silent prayers of despair,

61 years ago today, vague silhouettes of men, surrendering silver tears,

61 years ago today, washed away the horrors carried on that morning air.

61 years ago today, thousand brave hearts, seamlessly melted into one,

61 years ago today, condemned childhood hid deep within the crimson sand,

61 years ago today, tousled signs of hope lay heavy like ancient stone,

61 years ago today, sculptured from deep inside by freedom's hand.

61 years ago today, sighs of desperation became victory's battlecry,

61 years ago today, sentiments of determination grew with each life that fell,

61 years ago today, weary eyes relating tales that lips learned to deny,

61 years ago today, tender tears sealed the remembrance of images they tell.

61 years ago today, memories loom up in their heartrending gaze.

61 years ago today, remembering those left behind, sets the heart ablaze.

61 years ago today, forever seduced, falling into the beach's embrace,

61 years ago today, upon their memory, a red rose I shall humbly place.

Thank you for all your sacrifices......

Words by Frank Everards © 2005

Stay in good health and take care my friend

Frank C. Everards

The only nation that Germany declared war on was the USA.

The German submarine U-1206 was sunk by a malfunctioning toilet.

That's not true.

The story I heard about U1206 is that the submarine took water because of a toilet problem. Water got into the engine room, getting the engines wet and releasing chlorine gases.

The U-Boat commander ordered the boat to surface, so that ventilation could occur.

When they surfaced, they opened hatches, and the U-boat was ventilated.

When they were surfaced, a British Aircraft spotted them and attacked their position, sinking the ship.

* When the US Army landed in North Africa, among the equipment brought ashore were 3 complete Coca-Cola bottling plants. Why? Because the water was disgusting. Imagine drinking water that tasted much like that of your local swimming pool. Soldiers simply favored drinking Coca-Cola. In 1939, Coca Cola only had 5 overseas bottling plants. By 1945, they had 64.

* During World War II the military production of the Ford Motor Company exceeded that of the whole of Italy. . During 1942, Ford Motor Company halted its civilian car output and shifted to total military production."

All car makers were ordered to stop civilian car production not long after Pearl Harbor (I don't have the date). The initial order wasn't so much to cause the conversion to war production, but because the access to rubber from S.E. Asia was cut off by the Japanese advance. No rubber, no tire production, and the military knew it was going to need all the rubber it could lay its hands on for tires to support the military vehicles. The automakers appealed to Roosevelt not to close down their industry, offering to make new cars without tires, arguing that the buyers could then take the tires off their old vehicles and transfer them to the new cars. Roosevelt knew, however, that once new cars started coming off the assembly line without tires, there would be tremendous political pressure to lift the ban on civilian tire production. So he didn't relent.

* The youngest U.S. serviceman was 12-year-old Calvin Graham, USN. He was wounded and given a Dishonorable Discharge for lying about his age. (His benefits were later restored by act of Congress).

* To conserve metal during World War II the Academy Awards of Merit - also known as the Oscars - were made out of wood.

* In the US in 1943, to conserve metal, the production of blades to make sliced bread was ended.

Navy Construction Battalion units, whose main purpose was to unload supplies and build roads and airstrips, fought alongside Marine assault troops storming the black sandy beaches of Iwo-Jima. Only to be left out at awards time:

The Fourth Marine Division was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for the Iwo-Jima battle and the 133rd Naval Construction Battalion- Seabees was not although.

The 133rd NCB was part of the 4th Marine Division from November 1, 1944 until March 1945. Wearing Marine uniforms and subject to Marine rules and regulations. The 133rd was used as a Marine Pioneer Battalion during the battle. The 133rd NCB and the 4th Marine Division Pioneer battalion both became shore-parties for the 23rd and 25th Regimental Combat Teams for the assault phase on Iwo-Jima. Official Battle Plans on record show this! The entire 133rd landed with the first waves and suffered over 40% percent casualties (370 men), higher than any Seabee battalion in history! Their casualties exceeded the casualties of the 4th Marine Pioneer battalion on the adjoining beaches. The 4th Pioneers were awarded the PUC - the 133rd was not! Iwo-Jima was the costliest battle in human lives in the history of the United States Marine Corps. The 133rd NCB Seabees wore their uniform proudly as Navy, and wore their uniform proudly as Marines. They served both with great distinction, They earned and deserve the recognition that is still not theirs!

Marion, Thought I would stick my head in here, it's been a while, and you know why. I know that we do not agree with all of this, but we are friends, and we respect each others point of view. You have also been a great help to me in the last few days, thankyou.

Over on the MDW site, we are printing up the 'on line' petition, which will close with over 8,500 names one it, from over 32 different countries, and every state of the union.

The most amazing thing is that in the last 14 days, having had a brain wave on the spur of the moment to try and get as many vets as possible to sign, we have got EVERY SINGLE MAN that is still alive and was in the assault squad at Brecourt to sign, EVERY SINGLE ONE. Where that was not possible, we have a family member sign for the guys that are no longer with us.

This has been a labour for 6 months now, and a labour of love, love on our part, and the part of each member of 'Easy', as Mr Jiggers knows well.

People scoffed when we started this, but 8500 people later, we are there.

The thing that I found to be the most amazing, is when these guys, say thank you to me, want have I done compared to them.....nothing at all.

Marion, please let me apologise now if this appears to be a rant, or ramble, it is not meant that way. I am drained, emotions everywhere, but I am happy and proud of what we have done.

Now we just need the powers that be to do the right thing.

God bless 'Easy' and God bless America.

Dear United States Army:

My husband asked me to write a recommend that he supports his family. He cannot read, so don't tell him. Just take him. He ain't no good to me. He ain't done nothing but raise hell and drink lemon essence since I married him eight years ago, and I got to feed seven kids of his. Maybe you can get him to carry a gun. He's good on squirrels and eating. Take him and welcome. I need the grub and his bed for the kids. Don't tell him this, but just take him.

~ Anonymous, hand-delivered in 1943 by an Arkansas man to his draft board