The events of Operation Overlord, the invasion of Normandy, 70 years ago hold a special place in the hearts of many people, especially those who experienced it for themselves or knew someone who lived through it. Remembering D-Day is as important to them as it is for those of us wearing the uniform today.
To ensure we properly remembered the contributions of the Airmen, Soldiers and Sailors who participated in D-Day, the Airmen of the 86th Airlift Wing poured countless hours over several months into planning, coordinating and executing multiple events to honor the veterans who participated in the momentous occasion that changed the tides of war in Europe and led to Allied victory.
I’m proud of Team Ramstein’s efforts to remember those who sacrificed everything to secure a better future for us all. Specifically, the wing worked tirelessly to bring a historic C-47 along with veterans Bill Prindible and Bud Rice, who flew one like it the night of the D-Day airdrops, to Ramstein to share their collective experience. Additionally, we sent more than 60 Airmen and four C-130Js to Normandy to provide flyover and airdrop support for more than 25 different commemorative events.
Starting on Memorial Day, when the C-47 known as Whiskey 7 arrived, and continuing to the last Sunday when more than 800 paratroopers from multiple nations jumped into the Sainte-Mere-Eglise Iron Mike drop zone to recreate the airborne operations from June 4, 1944, our Airmen did a great service and paid the proper respect to the men and women of “The Greatest Generation.”
The past few weeks also reminded me how lucky I am to serve our great nation. For the past two weeks, I was privileged to bear witness to and interact with living, breathing history. Most importantly, the past several days have allowed me to reflect on the awe-inspiring efforts of the Airmen, Soldiers and Sailors who came before me.
I’ve thought quite a bit about the airmanship lieutenants William Prindible and Julian “Bud” Rice displayed on that dark and dangerous night to deliver Pfc. Leslie Cruise and his fellow paratroopers into Sainte-Mere-Eglise. I’ve thought a great deal about the brave men who stormed Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword beaches from Higgins boats under withering fire. But I’ve mostly thought of the 9,387 veterans who died and 1,557 who went missing during the Allied attempt to secure a foothold in France to defeat a tough, battle-hardened enemy.
The last couple of weeks reminded me – and should remind you – of why it is important to remember D-Day and the people who participated in it and why we continue to serve today.
The profession of arms is a noble endeavor worthy of our best efforts. It’s what the nation expects of us, and to do any less than our best is a disservice to the men and women who came before us and will come after us.
We all have different reasons for joining the service, but I believe the warrior ethos to defend the homeland, protect the rights of all men and women, and ensure freedom to all who seek it is what motivates us and keeps us on the right path. It’s the same ethos that led to the founding of our nation — the same ethos that led the more than 150,000 Airmen, Soldiers and Sailors to do what was asked of them in the air, on the ground and on the seas at Normandy.
Much like the men and women involved in the Normandy invasion and liberation of Europe so many years ago, most Airmen serving today entered the service at a time of great conflict for our nation. Then and now, Airmen step up when our country needs us the most.
Many things have changed in our military over the last 70 years and will continue to change, but the one constant that won’t change is the commitment to defend our nation while protecting the world’s freedom. The valor displayed by our heroes in Normandy paved the way for future generations to build upon their legacy. Today’s Airmen have picked up the torch and continue to build upon that heritage so future generations can look back with pride.
Witnessing our Airmen here and in Normandy pay respect to the brave souls who fought during D-Day is a career highlight for me. I’m confident that every person who had the opportunity to interact with our heroes is better because of the exchange. I walk a little bit taller knowing the men and women who participated in Operation Overlord made what we do today possible.
So remember the sacrifices of our D-Day heroes and pay tribute to their bravery. They built the platform of honor that we stand upon today and continue to build for our Airmen of the future.
Twitter
Facebook
The events of Operation Overlord, the invasion of Normandy, 70 years ago hold a special place in the hearts of many people, especially those who experienced it for themselves or knew someone who lived through it. Remembering D-Day is as important to them as it is for those of us wearing the uniform today.
To ensure we properly remembered the contributions of the Airmen, Soldiers and Sailors who participated in D-Day, the Airmen of the 86th Airlift Wing poured countless hours over several months into planning, coordinating and executing multiple events to honor the veterans who participated in the momentous occasion that changed the tides of war in Europe and led to Allied victory.
I’m proud of Team Ramstein’s efforts to remember those who sacrificed everything to secure a better future for us all. Specifically, the wing worked tirelessly to bring a historic C-47 along with veterans Bill Prindible and Bud Rice, who flew one like it the night of the D-Day airdrops, to Ramstein to share their collective experience. Additionally, we sent more than 60 Airmen and four C-130Js to Normandy to provide flyover and airdrop support for more than 25 different commemorative events.
Starting on Memorial Day, when the C-47 known as Whiskey 7 arrived, and continuing to the last Sunday when more than 800 paratroopers from multiple nations jumped into the Sainte-Mere-Eglise Iron Mike drop zone to recreate the airborne operations from June 4, 1944, our Airmen did a great service and paid the proper respect to the men and women of “The Greatest Generation.”
The past few weeks also reminded me how lucky I am to serve our great nation. For the past two weeks, I was privileged to bear witness to and interact with living, breathing history. Most importantly, the past several days have allowed me to reflect on the awe-inspiring efforts of the Airmen, Soldiers and Sailors who came before me.
I’ve thought quite a bit about the airmanship lieutenants William Prindible and Julian “Bud” Rice displayed on that dark and dangerous night to deliver Pfc. Leslie Cruise and his fellow paratroopers into Sainte-Mere-Eglise. I’ve thought a great deal about the brave men who stormed Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword beaches from Higgins boats under withering fire. But I’ve mostly thought of the 9,387 veterans who died and 1,557 who went missing during the Allied attempt to secure a foothold in France to defeat a tough, battle-hardened enemy.
The last couple of weeks reminded me – and should remind you – of why it is important to remember D-Day and the people who participated in it and why we continue to serve today.
The profession of arms is a noble endeavor worthy of our best efforts. It’s what the nation expects of us, and to do any less than our best is a disservice to the men and women who came before us and will come after us.
We all have different reasons for joining the service, but I believe the warrior ethos to defend the homeland, protect the rights of all men and women, and ensure freedom to all who seek it is what motivates us and keeps us on the right path. It’s the same ethos that led to the founding of our nation — the same ethos that led the more than 150,000 Airmen, Soldiers and Sailors to do what was asked of them in the air, on the ground and on the seas at Normandy.
Much like the men and women involved in the Normandy invasion and liberation of Europe so many years ago, most Airmen serving today entered the service at a time of great conflict for our nation. Then and now, Airmen step up when our country needs us the most.
Many things have changed in our military over the last 70 years and will continue to change, but the one constant that won’t change is the commitment to defend our nation while protecting the world’s freedom. The valor displayed by our heroes in Normandy paved the way for future generations to build upon their legacy. Today’s Airmen have picked up the torch and continue to build upon that heritage so future generations can look back with pride.
Witnessing our Airmen here and in Normandy pay respect to the brave souls who fought during D-Day is a career highlight for me. I’m confident that every person who had the opportunity to interact with our heroes is better because of the exchange. I walk a little bit taller knowing the men and women who participated in Operation Overlord made what we do today possible.
So remember the sacrifices of our D-Day heroes and pay tribute to their bravery. They built the platform of honor that we stand upon today and continue to build for our Airmen of the future.