Blog Posts tagged with "D-Day Foundation"

I’m new to EUCOM, new to Europe altogether, and I cannot imagine a better time of year: we just celebrated Memorial Day and the 66th Anniversary of D-Day is here. And I’m in Europe for all of it.

But with D-Day, so many things come to mind: honor, sacrifice, bravery, confusion...

Dwight Eisenhower giving orders to American paratroopers in England. (Image courtesy Library of Congress)

I admit, I’m partial to the airborne history of D-Day – I worked at Fort Campbell for the 101st Airborne Division for seven years. Those paratroopers flew across a blackened sea in the dark of night, coming under fire and being expected to jump out into the chaos. Some never made it out of their planes, some didn’t survive landing.

There were men in the air bombing the enemy artillery sites, men on the sea providing transport and naval bombardments, and men on the ground running up the beaches with rifles and bayonets ready. I have to believe that everyone who fought that day gave their all, not just those who died.

The D-Day Foundation has verified the names about 2,500 American servicemen killed on that one day alone. 2,500 Americans on one day. Our Allies fought alongside us, too, and estimates are that nearly 2,000 of them were killed that day, too.

But the anniversary of D-Day isn’t just about the men who died 66 years ago. It is also about what we’ve learned and accomplished since then.

The paratroopers of the 101st and 82nd didn’t hit all the drop zones they were supposed to, they were scattered around the countryside, some teaming up with units not their own, but all to accomplish the mission. The American service member is resourceful and we proved it on D-Day, we prove it every day.

And as I sit here at EUCOM, I can’t help but think D-Day could be the day that solidified the American commitment to the European continent. Sure we had been here before and we fought here before; but when I look back, I see D-Day as the day where the relationship was made real. We promised, we planned, we executed, we stayed for the rest of the war, we stayed for the rebuilding, and we’re here now maintaining and growing relationships with our allies and even former enemies.

So on Sunday, think about those who lost their lives, but also remember those who fought, those who lived the lessons we must learn about resourcefulness and working together. We must be Stronger Together.

Cathy Gramling
Social Media Deputy