Sunday, June 6, 2021

D-Day

 


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

18 comments:

drjim said...

And it didn't even make the "On This Day..." entry at the CommiePedia.....

Don't whether to be sad or disgusted, probably both.

Bob said...

Words do fail.

Well, at least in WWII, compared to WWI, something was accomplished for all the lives and suffering.

-Kid

LL said...

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.

Adrienne said...

I've often wondered how many of those very young men knew they were running toward certain death.

RHT447 said...

@ Adrienne "I've often wondered how many of those very young men knew they were running toward certain death."

So 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.

Wild, wild west said...


"Lest we forget."

Ed Bonderenka said...

Words fail, except Thank You.

Old NFO said...

Lest we forget... All honors to them.

jdbresumes said...

Some 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.

LSP said...

Right with you on both counts, drjim.

LSP said...

There is that, Kid.

Kyrie eleison.

LSP said...

It sure is, LL. Well said.

LSP said...

Adrienne, I try not to think of that.

LSP said...

RHT, I often thank God, seriously, that I've been spared that. Of course some people who comment/read here have a different story. Respect.

Off topic but let's set up a shoot.

LSP said...

WWW, yes sir.

LSP said...

A great generation, Ed, no doubt about it.

LSP said...

All honors, NFO. Well said.

LSP said...

Joy, 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...