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AIRBORNE ALL THE WAY Friday, June 6, 2008
Happy 64th D-Day Anniversary!
Yes, today is the 64th anniversary of the "Day that shaped the twentieth century", according to Stephen E. Ambrose.
You could say that his words are entirely true, given the fact that if D-Day had failed, the Axis would've stood a better chance of winning the war.
Anyway, I bet you're already bored to death by my monologue on the "day that will live in infamy..." for the Germans, as Roosevelt probably would've put it.
So, on with current events.
That reminds me, that stupid "Today in History" [or was it "This Day in History"?] in the Straits Times didn't mention D-Day! Instead it mentioned some first frozen peas appear in supermarkets.
I mean, aw, c'mon! Would you rather read about frozen peas [which I don't like to eat anyway] or a horrific yet enthralling battle for the beaches that shaped the course of WWII?
I don't know about you, but I'd definitely choose the latter.
Anyway, we're digressing again.
Ah yes. Yesterday, coincedentally the 64th Anniversary of the later postponed Operation Overlord [you've guessed it, D-Day] and also when, at 2310, 175000 of the Allies' finest youth took off for Normandy in their C-47s, we had our lovely reunion party.
Yes, irritating, isn't it, the way I keep going back to D-Day. I don't expect anybody to be paying attention to this except Lt.
And even she got the facts wrong, only 2200 died on Omaha beach, not 6000.
Anyway. Our party was hosted at WCP [West Coast Park] at 1200hrs in MacDonalds. We ate lunch [not necessarily together] and played Arunima's the game that arunima's lame brain was obsessed with, "Truth or Dare".
Mind you, there were a few awkward moments, one more awkward than the others - please don't be angry with me, Mich or Elim - when Mich and Elim sat at the same round table, just one seat apart, and I was facing them, sitting on one of the squarish tables.
And both of 'em rattled on about anything under the sun - of course, though, the dialogue was directed at ME.
Isn't it creepy when two people talk to you but ignore the other?
Anyway. The rain cleared soon enough, and the sun came out. Boy, what a sun! It was boiling hot. We played a bit of soccer/baseball [Where Aru got 5 - or was it 6? - I ROCK!!!s changed to I SUCK!!!s] , climbed the pyramaid [Arunima made me carry her bottle up, I only got halfway - d'you know how hard it is climbing with a bottle in your hands?! - and when I was coming down she kicked me in the back of my head.] and had an obstacle course race. Then we went to the seaside and sat on the rocks and Elim had a nice fall on the algae covered rocks further down. His shirt reminded me of the time me and Javiar tricked him into running around in the marshland at KS's party after we mistakenly trekked into it as well. And we didn't have it as bad 'cos we were wearing shorts - he was wearing pants.
Ah well. It was a great turnout, guys. Really good. I mean, about 22 people came, though four rather irresponsible people left early. Not bad for such messy organizing [yes, I know, I'm sorry]. We have a nice group photo [shot by J] to remember this great party. Yippee.
And Today's D-Day! Never forget the few thousand Allied soldiers that gave their lives to save ours. If they hadn't, I might not have been writing these words today.
[yes, I know, very stereotypical, but it's true. The war could've dragged on and they could've killed my grandparents.]
~Quote of the Day~
[To Tie in with the glorious D-Day!]
"Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force!
You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers-in-arms on other Fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security to yourselves in a free world.
Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely.
But this is the year 1944! Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of 1940-41. The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats, in open battle, man-to-man. Our air offensive has seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on the ground. Our Home Fronts have given us an overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions of war, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men. The tidehas turned! The free men of the world are marching together to Victory!
I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full Victory!
Good Luck! And let us all beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking."
Eisenhower's Order of the Day, June 5th 1944, issued to all "soldiers, sailors and airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force" that took part in D-Day.
Yes, today is the 64th anniversary of the "Day that shaped the twentieth century", according to Stephen E. Ambrose.
You could say that his words are entirely true, given the fact that if D-Day had failed, the Axis would've stood a better chance of winning the war.
Anyway, I bet you're already bored to death by my monologue on the "day that will live in infamy..." for the Germans, as Roosevelt probably would've put it.
So, on with current events.
That reminds me, that stupid "Today in History" [or was it "This Day in History"?] in the Straits Times didn't mention D-Day! Instead it mentioned some first frozen peas appear in supermarkets.
I mean, aw, c'mon! Would you rather read about frozen peas [which I don't like to eat anyway] or a horrific yet enthralling battle for the beaches that shaped the course of WWII?
I don't know about you, but I'd definitely choose the latter.
Anyway, we're digressing again.
Ah yes. Yesterday, coincedentally the 64th Anniversary of the later postponed Operation Overlord [you've guessed it, D-Day] and also when, at 2310, 175000 of the Allies' finest youth took off for Normandy in their C-47s, we had our lovely reunion party.
Yes, irritating, isn't it, the way I keep going back to D-Day. I don't expect anybody to be paying attention to this except Lt.
And even she got the facts wrong, only 2200 died on Omaha beach, not 6000.
Anyway. Our party was hosted at WCP [West Coast Park] at 1200hrs in MacDonalds. We ate lunch [not necessarily together] and played Arunima's the game that arunima's lame brain was obsessed with, "Truth or Dare".
Mind you, there were a few awkward moments, one more awkward than the others - please don't be angry with me, Mich or Elim - when Mich and Elim sat at the same round table, just one seat apart, and I was facing them, sitting on one of the squarish tables.
And both of 'em rattled on about anything under the sun - of course, though, the dialogue was directed at ME.
Isn't it creepy when two people talk to you but ignore the other?
Anyway. The rain cleared soon enough, and the sun came out. Boy, what a sun! It was boiling hot. We played a bit of soccer/baseball [Where Aru got 5 - or was it 6? - I ROCK!!!s changed to I SUCK!!!s] , climbed the pyramaid [Arunima made me carry her bottle up, I only got halfway - d'you know how hard it is climbing with a bottle in your hands?! - and when I was coming down she kicked me in the back of my head.] and had an obstacle course race. Then we went to the seaside and sat on the rocks and Elim had a nice fall on the algae covered rocks further down. His shirt reminded me of the time me and Javiar tricked him into running around in the marshland at KS's party after we mistakenly trekked into it as well. And we didn't have it as bad 'cos we were wearing shorts - he was wearing pants.
Ah well. It was a great turnout, guys. Really good. I mean, about 22 people came, though four rather irresponsible people left early. Not bad for such messy organizing [yes, I know, I'm sorry]. We have a nice group photo [shot by J] to remember this great party. Yippee.
And Today's D-Day! Never forget the few thousand Allied soldiers that gave their lives to save ours. If they hadn't, I might not have been writing these words today.
[yes, I know, very stereotypical, but it's true. The war could've dragged on and they could've killed my grandparents.]
~Quote of the Day~
[To Tie in with the glorious D-Day!]
"Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force!
You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers-in-arms on other Fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security to yourselves in a free world.
Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely.
But this is the year 1944! Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of 1940-41. The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats, in open battle, man-to-man. Our air offensive has seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on the ground. Our Home Fronts have given us an overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions of war, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men. The tidehas turned! The free men of the world are marching together to Victory!
I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full Victory!
Good Luck! And let us all beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking."
Eisenhower's Order of the Day, June 5th 1944, issued to all "soldiers, sailors and airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force" that took part in D-Day.
>>Forgotten by01:21
