SATURDAY June 6, 2026
Remembering D-Day
...a time of war; and a time of peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:8
This day marks the 82nd anniversary of the allied forces landing in Normandy. Today we need to remember their valor, fidelity and sacrifice. Their remarkable efforts turned the tide of World War II. It is our duty to tell the next generation, because they must know about their incredible sacrifices that ultimately brought about victory and later freed the entire world from the evils of Nazi Germany.
On June 6, 1944, the largest amphibious invasion in military history took place and became known as D-Day. A massive number of troops, over 150,000, landed on five of Normandy’s beaches––Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword. They were supported by an estimated 7,000 ships, 13,000 aircraft, and 195,000 naval personnel.
Under the cover of darkness, American and British paratroopers dropped into Normandy. When daylight appeared, gliders came bringing men and heavy machinery to support the troops. In the early hours of June 6, the surprise attack captured Sainte-Mere Église.
American battleships, supported by cruisers and destroyers and the British Royal Navy, unleashed a fierce bombardment as they shelled enemy positions. As the sun rose, wave after wave of ground troops from America, Britian, Canada and France stormed Northern France’s beaches. According to The National WWII Museum in New Orleans, out of 160,000 allied troops, some records show 10,300 casualties (killed, wounded, or missing). Sadly, 2,400 American troops were killed on Omaha beach––the highest losses of the day.
Operation Overlord overwhelmed the Nazi defenses, and the famed Atlantic Wall that Hitler built crumbled. The Germans were forced to retreat. This was the beginning of the liberation of Western Europe and the end of the war. It took another 11 months and 2 days after the invasion of Normandy for Germany to surrender, with the war ending at midnight on May 8, 1945.
But, good men, with the help of God, cooperating with one another, can and will prevail over evil.
~President Ronald Reagan~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
