I feel how weak and fruitless must be any words of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering to you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save.

I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of Freedom.

Yours, very sincerely and respectfully,
A. Lincoln.

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If more eloquent words on this subject matter were ever committed to paper I have never seen them.
Heart rending.

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My dad did three, Sicily, The boot of Italy and Normandy, Juno beach.

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My dad went in with C Co, 1st Bn. 506th PIR. He was severely wounded and was returned to England mid June. He didn't return to France until Dec.44 when the 101st was besieged at Bastogne. Since he was a combat NCO and couldn't return to the 506th (at that time) he was sent to a non airborne infantry unit. He received the Silver Star, Bronze Star and Purple Heart.

BEAR

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If D-Day hadn't taken place in 1944 or if it had gone badly wrong and had failed, as could easily have been the case, it's horrifying to think of some the things that Hitler could have done with his V weapon program, given a little more time.

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Every June 6th when I've read this letter that General Eisenhower carried in his pocket throughout the day, I've always thought of the anguish in his heart as he paced and waited to see whether the invasion would succeed.





Note the date. Remember that June 6th was the second try at the landings.


Bob

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Powerful.

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Here's what it says: "Our landings in the Cherbourg-Havre area have failed to gain a satisfactory foothold and I have withdrawn the troops. My decision to attack at this time and place was based upon the best information available. The troops, the air and the Navy did all that Bravery and devotion to duty could do. If any blame or fault attaches to the attempt it is mine alone."

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