64 years ago today, the Greatest Generation hit the beaches at Normandy

UtahCoin · June 6, 2008 1:54AM

Post a coin that has something to do with this event, or commemorates it in someway.
Here is a picture of my father who turned 89 in January. He earned 5 Battle Stars in the South Pacific.

newbiecollector · June 6, 2008 2:03AM

I wish I had a coin to help commerate this. I don't.

But my great thanks to your Dad --------------and I mean that

Coinsponge · June 6, 2008 2:10AM

My hats off for what those brave men did at Normandy and other fields of war but "The Greatest Generation"? This is the generation that gave us the all powerful FDR federal government-our ultimate demise. So hats off but I think they are mere mortals afterall.

PrivateCoinCollector · June 6, 2008 2:10AM

And I forever grateful for the pride and courage of those men on that day. Be proud.

dac076 · June 6, 2008 2:14AM

That's cool, thanks.

My hats off for what those brave men did at Normandy and other fields of war but "The Greatest Generation"? This is the generation that gave us the all powerful FDR federal government-our ultimate demise. So hats off but I think they are mere mortals afterall.

The soldiers were just kids when FDR put his initiatives in place. And he certainly wasn't part of their generation.

ziggy29 · June 6, 2008 2:18AM

<< My hats off for what those brave men did at Normandy and other fields of war but "The Greatest Generation"? This is the generation that gave us the all powerful FDR federal government-our ultimate demise. So hats off but I think they are mere mortals afterall. >>

FDR was born in 1882, hardly part of the same generation. And neither was a majority of the electorate in 1932.

renman95 · June 6, 2008 2:19AM

And sadly 64 years later our "leaders" have lost their way forming a more perfect North American Union.

What a fantastic generation...too bad their children and grand-children don't understand the concepts of honor, God and country...generally speaking of course.

There are still great Americans out there...just harder to find.

Semper Fi

Ren

Coinsponge · June 6, 2008 2:21AM

<< That's cool, thanks.

My hats off for what those brave men did at Normandy and other fields of war but "The Greatest Generation"? This is the generation that gave us the all powerful FDR federal government-our ultimate demise. So hats off but I think they are mere mortals afterall.

The soldiers were just kids when FDR put his initiatives in place. And he certainly wasn't part of their generation. >>

Good point althoug FDR's term practically spanned a generation.

rgCoinGuy · June 6, 2008 2:21AM

The best I can do is a coin minted that year....

War Nickel

guitarwes · June 6, 2008 2:22AM

Don't turn this thread into a political debate guys.....Let's just honor those who deserve honor.

Give my thanks to your father Wes!

Coinsponge · June 6, 2008 2:27AM

<< Don't turn this thread into a political debate guys.....Let's just honor those who deserve honor.

Give my thanks to your father Wes! >>

You are right. Sorry I brought it up. They did do a great thing and made sacrifices that few would make today for their country.

dac076 · June 6, 2008 2:29AM

<< Don't turn this thread into a political debate guys.....Let's just honor those who deserve honor.

Give my thanks to your father Wes! >>

You are right. Sorry I brought it up. They did do a great thing and made sacrifices that few would make today for their country.

Well said. I'll second that.

duck620 · June 6, 2008 2:38AM

i can't post pics at this time.many,many thanks to your father for his service to his country.freedom is what we all enjoy today thanks to your dad.from a vietnam vet to a WW2 vet,thanks for all the sunshine every morning.thanks again.ken....

ebaytrader · June 6, 2008 3:02AM

Mesquite · June 6, 2008 3:07AM

No coin, but here is a pic of my dad - flew DC-3s (Dakotas) for the RCAF. He was recovering in the Hospital in Canada after his transport blew up on take off in England sometime in late 1943/early 1944. He missed D-day. Would likely have been towing gliders had he been air worthy. He will be 88 at the end of this month. My hat is off to all of those who served.

lasvegasteddy · June 6, 2008 3:19AM

here's my contribution

this was one of the key components to this event

it was the ship i served on in the navy and i was an assualt boats coxswain...

i piloted the "mic 6 & mic 8's" as my speciality and these are the boats that dropped the troops off at shoreline for beach assualts...

i was given a 6 second life expectancy during wartime as the enemy did not want these boats hitting the beach...

go figuire...

"this is one of the ships" needed to pull off a beach assualt...the uss st.louis lka 116...amphibous cargo assualt class

fc · June 6, 2008 3:34AM

first of all every person who served in the US armed forces is a hero. end of story.

my question after reading the title to this thread though is that the generation who
fought in WWII.. i wonder how they would feel being called the "greatest generation"?

I need to ask some of the vets I see, very old men now, how they feel about that.
It has piqued my interest actually. thoughts?

I think they would not like to be called that and consider themselves very average folks
who happened to live during a tragic time. I bet they also like to think the US could do it
again with any generation when pushed against the wall. Citizen soldiers from all walks
of life made up WWII vets and I bet they are too modest to have ever made that claim
for themselves. So who exactly coined that term for them?

The baby boomers who idolize their parents who served i would guess?

Also to add, it is too bad so much of the video footage of normandy that was dropped in the drink
and lost to us forever. We have so few video clips from that time frame.

NHSBaseball · June 6, 2008 3:55AM

From the D-Day Museum in New Orleans- used to drop the 101st and 82nd Paratroopers in Normandy- those guys were STUDS.

Mesquite · June 6, 2008 4:02AM

fc, my experience shadows yours. It was Tom Browkaw who coined that term - and wrote a book entitled "The Greatest Generation". My dad feels that back in those days they did what was required of them to do. Nothing special, nothing more or less than anyone (regardless of generation) would do when faced by an enemy's army. I think that they tend to be very modest about their own contributions in the war and troubled by their memories of war. Given that, they had every intention of winning that war come hell or high water.

NHSB - that's a Dakota (C-47, DC-3)!

NHSBaseball · June 6, 2008 4:04AM

But not a Dodge.

Also called the "Gooney Bird".

UtahCoin · June 6, 2008 4:16AM

<< first of all every person who served in the US armed forces is a hero. end of story.

my question after reading the title to this thread though is that the generation who
fought in WWII.. i wonder how they would feel being called the "greatest generation"?

I need to ask some of the vets I see, very old men now, how they feel about that.
It has piqued my interest actually. thoughts?

I think they would not like to be called that and consider themselves very average folks
who happened to live during a tragic time. I bet they also like to think the US could do it
again with any generation when pushed against the wall. Citizen soldiers from all walks
of life made up WWII vets and I bet they are too modest to have ever made that claim
for themselves. So who exactly coined that term for them?

The baby boomers who idolize their parents who served i would guess?

Also to add, it is too bad so much of the video footage of normandy that was dropped in the drink
and lost to us forever. We have so few video clips from that time frame. >>

I believe the term was coined by Tom Brokaw who wrote a book by the same name. You are correct in that these are humble men, that were asked to do an extraordinary job, in places they had never heard of, for leaders they did not know. Millions of these men had never been further than 100 miles from where they were born. They did not shirk from the job that was asked of them. They did not file a class action suit against going where they were asked to. They did not ask to go home when things got tough. They did it because they loved their country, and it was the right thing to do.

My father was shot down during the battle of Leyte Gulf, was picked up by a destroyer, and sunk later that same day. Those survivors were then picked up by another ship. My father related that not one man from that group wanted to go home. They simply wanted to be put back in action to avenge the loss of their comrades.

These truly were great men, not because they asked for it, but because they were born of a time where good men did what was asked of them without wondering what was in it for them.

renman95 · June 6, 2008 4:24AM

<< 

<< Don't turn this thread into a political debate guys.....Let's just honor those who deserve honor.

Give my thanks to your father Wes! >>

You are right. Sorry I brought it up. They did do a great thing and made sacrifices that few would make today for their country. >>

me too...

Ren

Fairlaneman · June 6, 2008 4:25AM

<< These truly were great men, not because they asked for it, but because they were born of a time where good men did what was asked of them without wondering what was in it for them. >>

The same happened in the 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's and the 2000's. The only difference between the 40's, 50's and to some extent the 60's is the media coverage that is extended then versus now. All we seem to hear now is the bad and ugly. Back then it was the good.

True Americans still do their duty when asked!!!

Ken

clarkbar04 · June 6, 2008 4:31AM

<< 

My father was shot down during the battle of Leyte Gulf, was picked up by a destroyer, and sunk later that same day. Those survivors were then picked up by another ship. My father related that not one man from that group wanted to go home. They simply wanted to be put back in action to avenge the loss of their comrades.

>>

Hats off to your father.

My grandpa served in WWII, I think he was a medic, but I was young when he died so I never got to ask him about those experiences.

BRdude · June 6, 2008 4:38AM

Let me add my thanks to all who have served, or will serve. The greatest generation?? Maybe so, but my youngest son, who served a year in the army in and around Bagdad, and the young men and women who served with him, and I met many who came home with him for the weekend after their tour. They are truely part of another "Greatest Generation". They are out there, just because you don't hear of their heroism from the driveby media (who (most) hate the military and those who serve IMHO) doesn't mean they aren't out there every day and night, risking life and limb for freedom, liberty, and their buddy next to them. I thank god every day for them and I salute my son, who after serving his 3 year term, reinlisted and is now the door gunner on a CH47 Jolly Green, set to redeploy this month. God bless our troops, and god bless america.....

fc · June 6, 2008 4:49AM

<< 

<< These truly were great men, not because they asked for it, but because they were born of a time where good men did what was asked of them without wondering what was in it for them. >>

The same happened in the 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's and the 2000's. The only difference between the 40's, 50's and to some extent the 60's is the media coverage that is extended then versus now. All we seem to hear now is the bad and ugly. Back then it was the good.

True Americans still do their duty when asked!!!

Ken >>

oooh good point! The media does seem to dislike our servicemen and women compared to back then.
Just compare what hollywood, for example, did movie wise for WWII compared to Vietnam and Iraq.
Just compare what the news media did...

silverpop · June 6, 2008 4:57AM

to all who served

a big thanks

BRdude · June 6, 2008 5:01AM

<< Just compare what hollywood, for example, did movie wise for WWII compared to Vietnam and Iraq. >>

Not only that, but who in Hollywood has left their ivory tower to serve?? I know several of the "greatest generation" who did just that. Nowadays they are too concerned what is happening in Darfur or at the UN or some other god forsaken place to be concerned with or about America. JMHO, and the HO of others may differ

coinsarefun · June 6, 2008 5:13AM

My Dad in the Marines.

Stefanie

Bear · June 6, 2008 5:16AM

"WHERE UNCOMMON COURAGE,
WAS A COMMON VIRTUE".

ricko · June 6, 2008 5:25AM

Too bad we do not have as many of them at home right now, as we do defending our country in the Middle East right now.... We need these type of patriots all over this country.. but particularly in large city areas where the 'sludge' congregates. Cheers, RickO

LoveMyLiberty · June 6, 2008 6:05AM

One can't say enough to honor these men and women!!!!

cladking · June 6, 2008 8:21AM

<< My hats off for what those brave men did at Normandy and other fields of war but "The Greatest Generation"? This is the generation that gave us the all powerful FDR federal government-our ultimate demise. So hats off but I think they are mere mortals afterall. >>

Indeed there are many heros but the systems they built were entirely unsustainable and we will pay a very high price for another hundred years. How are we going to fix the educational system when we've already lost most of one generation?

ziggy29 · June 6, 2008 8:25AM

<< Too bad we do not have as many of them at home right now, as we do defending our country in the Middle East right now.... We need these type of patriots all over this country.. but particularly in large city areas where the 'sludge' congregates. Cheers, RickO >>

True. But today's young generation may have its own herculean challenge in terms of the energy situation. Maybe they can step up, find ways to keep the nation powered and prosperous, and they too will be a new generation of American heroes. When our backs are to the wall, American know-how has always gotten it done when we needed it most, and hopefully future generations can continue that.

Mercury10c · June 6, 2008 12:00PM

None of the local news channels metioned it this morning, and I did not see one
article in the local papers. Pretty sad when one of the greatest moments in
human history is forgotten. And BTW, in October, I will be hitting the beaches
of Normandy, briefly, to pay my respects.

Coin Finder · June 6, 2008 12:12PM

All politics aside I cannot thank the "greatest generation" enough for their sacrifice so that we could have freedom and peace at home. These men, rightly or wrongly had a job to do and they did it. We have a great responsibility to continue their legacy and never forget their valor, humility and courage. One thing I have learned late in life is that the coward and the courageous have this in common, they are both afraid. Only the latter sucks it up and does something about it. Every man on that beach that day falls into this category.

I salute all of you with all my heart and say Thank You.

ProofRainbowRoosevelt · June 6, 2008 12:31PM

Pic of my Grandfather after The War and the Submarine he served on during WWII, the USS Gunnel. I'm at a loss of words for the challenge this generation faced, and the bravery they gave. My Grandfather is still living, and loves life.

19Lyds · June 6, 2008 12:53PM

I may break out my "Band of Brothers" DVD!

An excellent dramatization of what occured on this day so long ago.

For me, I could classify these men as heroes whether they felt that way or not. Come to think of it, a real hero doesnot consider him or herself to be anything of the kind. But the reality is that these folks gave up their day to day lives to not only protect their country but to protect the world from the Nazi infection that was growing in Europe!

Yes these people are heroes.

pennyannie · June 6, 2008 2:40PM

I drink coffee most mornings with a man that was a coxsiman (SP) in the pacific theater. He has some stories if you can get him started. He was not in love with his ship because it was a smaller one. They did not have ice cream on his. He had to drive over to other ships and trade for it. He was on 5 landings in the pacific. Lied to get in at 17.

Hats off to the D-day soldiers

GAT · June 6, 2008 3:59PM

Having stood on Omaha Beach, looking up the cliffs, where the Germans were dug in, I can tell you it's amazing that anyone escaped off Omaha, up the gully alive. I was also station at RAF Greenham Common were the 101st took off from for the invasion.

tomauglop · June 6, 2008 6:21PM

<< None of the local news channels metioned it this morning, and I did not see one
article in the local papers. Pretty sad when one of the greatest moments in
human history is forgotten. And BTW, in October, I will be hitting the beaches
of Normandy, briefly, to pay my respects. >>

I also noticed that the anniversary was almost completely ignored by the media. I agree that it's sad how subsequent generations are so quick to forget. I think a lot of it has to to do with education. I remember a few years ago, someone asked me what day it was, and he was astonished that I knew it was D-Day, saying I was the first young person he'd asked who knew. If you never learn about it, you can't remember it.

Here's a wartime steel penny:

lcoopie · June 7, 2008 12:11AM

my late Father, army air force, WWII

and a coin

Michigan · June 7, 2008 12:59AM

The thoughts that must have gone through the minds of the soldiers in the landing crafts as they were heading for the beach, they would
have been both terrified and brave.

TBS or one of those cable channels used to run "The Longest Day" on June 6 quite often but I haven't see it in years now.

The date seems to have fallen off the media map as I didn't see it mentioned anywhere yesterday (except here).

mommam17 · June 7, 2008 1:13AM

I found out from my father`s army friends when he died that they landed in North Africa 2 years before D Day. They were bombed almost every day. My father never told me this. All he use to talk about was what a great time he had in the Army. I guess he didn`t want to remember alot of it.

kaz · June 7, 2008 1:17AM

What a great thread to honor those who lived and died through D-day. My late father joined the Army in, I believe, 1943. He was 33 at the time and regarded as 'pop' by most of the younger men around him. He served in a large hospital in Cirencester, England, which was set up to handle the expected massive casualties from the landing. Being from Southwest Virginia, he knew a lot of boys in the 29th infantry division, a lot of them didn't come home.Some of his friends turned up wounded in the hospital, and they were sure glad to see someone from their home town! Dad knew they were there because he reviewed the incoming casualty lists every day.

As an aside, he handled a lot of supplies, one of which was drums of pure ethyl alcohol, for hospital use only (!). At the time, the English beer was weak and warm, with a virtually non-existent alcohol content. Sometimes Dad would fill a small bottle with this product and pedal off to the local pub, where he always received a VERY warm welcome from the Army guys in attendance. He had a few stories about running his bike off the lane into a ditch while returning to base from these little excursions. It helped relieve the stress of the hospital, especially after the landings and later the Battle of the Bulge (he could barely talk about the tankers who were horribly burned when their tanks were lit up by 88's).

Please consider a donation to the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Va.

Best to all, and thanks to all who served, and now serve our Country. Charles

steelie · June 7, 2008 5:54AM

64 years ago today, the Greatest Generation hit the beaches at Normandy

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