There we were in the sacristy, getting ready for Mass. "What day is it, Padre?" asked the MC. "It's the second Sunday after Pentecost or Corpus Christi transferred," I replied, quick as you like but missing the point. "No, what happened on this day, 1944?"
D-Day happened, and we stopped for a moment, silent, struck by the thought of all those kids who gave their lives. Words fail, at least for me. So we prayed for the fallen and gave thanks for the victory.
Honor the men who stormed those beaches by standing fast for what's right and true. Here endeth the lesson.
God bless,
LSP
And it didn't even make the "On This Day..." entry at the CommiePedia.....
ReplyDeleteDon't whether to be sad or disgusted, probably both.
Words do fail.
ReplyDeleteWell, at least in WWII, compared to WWI, something was accomplished for all the lives and suffering.
-Kid
D-Day represents more than just an accumulation of men and machines brought together. There is symbolism at so many levels - and monumental individual sacrifice. It's worth a prayer of thanks.
ReplyDeleteI've often wondered how many of those very young men knew they were running toward certain death.
ReplyDelete@ Adrienne "I've often wondered how many of those very young men knew they were running toward certain death."
ReplyDeleteSo here is a story I was told--
The day before D-Day, a young soldier went to his platoon sergeant to tell the sergeant that he had a really bad feeling, that he just knew he was going to be killed. The sergeant told the kid that yeah, it would be tough, but to remember his training and that he would likely get through it. Besides, it wouldn't be long before they were in Paris, and the young ladies there really like guys in uniform. "In fact, let me give you a fresh hair cut so you'll look sharp then". And so he gave the kid a fresh hair cut.
The sergeant later recalled, "It seemed to cheer him up. At least I hope it did. He was one of the first ones killed when the ramp dropped".
Yes, words fail.
ReplyDelete"Lest we forget."
Words fail, except Thank You.
ReplyDeleteLest we forget... All honors to them.
ReplyDeleteSome VERY moving tributes to those who gave their lives on June 6 and in the days of battle immediately following. My uncle was in the Invasion, but I was too young to ask him questions when he was still with us.
ReplyDeleteRight with you on both counts, drjim.
ReplyDeleteThere is that, Kid.
ReplyDeleteKyrie eleison.
It sure is, LL. Well said.
ReplyDeleteAdrienne, I try not to think of that.
ReplyDeleteRHT, I often thank God, seriously, that I've been spared that. Of course some people who comment/read here have a different story. Respect.
ReplyDeleteOff topic but let's set up a shoot.
WWW, yes sir.
ReplyDeleteA great generation, Ed, no doubt about it.
ReplyDeleteAll honors, NFO. Well said.
ReplyDeleteJoy, when I was a kid I'd ask vets "what it was like" and they'd smile and not say very much, typically. When I was marginally older and a young priest, some of them would open up. We had a small commonality, at least I'd been in the army so...
ReplyDelete