D-Day

[Cat Grad]

Some realize the importance of being a land grant institution and that all male students in these schools were required to attend ROTC the first two years of school until the 60s. We also remember our 1941 football team. For those of you with relatives still living from this day, I would encourage all of you to record as much of their recollections as you can and allow them cry with no inhibitions during the process.

http://www.army.mil/d-day/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[CapitalCityCat]

Thanks for posting that reminder. I'll have to admit it slipped my mind this morning as I left for work. I'll have to run home at lunch and display my flag.

[AlphaOAlum]

We went to Omaha Beach last fall when we visited France. I've now been to Gettysburg and Normandy, and man... what an incredibly moving experience.

[HelenaCat95]

Thank you Grandpa. You would never talk about it, but you did with me when I was a little boy.

After you passed away, I got to tell some of your stories to my Aunts and Uncles, and my Dad...your kids. I wish you had told them, but some of your experiences and injuries haunted you, and still caused you pain until you died - some painful reminders of a German grenade were a permanent part of your stomach and chest.....and the limp that never went away from the broken leg you suffered from jumping from a plane and landing in a French field on June 5. Those were only the visible wounds that you carried for almost 60 years after the war. You made it out alive, and could never really understand why.
I'm honored that you shared your D-Day and Battle of the Bulge experiences with a young boy. The best I can do is pass it on to my kids....and then to my grandkids when they come. We won't forget what you, and millions of others did.....and are still doing for us.
You wouldn't ever accept it, but you are my hero.


Thanks for posting this thread Cat Grad.....and thanks for bearing with me on my short and uneloquent and inadequate, but heartfelt thoughts about my Grandpa.

[Cat Grad]

We went to Omaha Beach last fall when we visited France. I've now been to Gettysburg and Normandy, and man... what an incredibly moving experience.

Great learning experiences. Your father always told the boosters he wanted to go to Normandy and spoke in awe of the soldiers from that era. Been on most Civil War battlefields taking notes, all over the 3d Infantry and 7th Cavs most famous site, the Big Hole and Bear Paws, but D-Day and the Bulge still baffle me as to how my grandparents generation could direct my parents generation into this action. What love and a sense of duty displayed by those that fought WWI and the children they sent to fight WWII.

[AlphaOAlum]

We went to Omaha Beach last fall when we visited France. I've now been to Gettysburg and Normandy, and man... what an incredibly moving experience.

Great learning experiences. Your father always told the boosters he wanted to go to Normandy and spoke in awe of the soldiers from that era. Been on most Civil War battlefields taking notes, all over the 3d Infantry and 7th Cavs most famous site, the Big Hole and Bear Paws, but D-Day and the Bulge still baffle me as to how my grandparents generation could direct my parents generation into this action. What love and a sense of duty displayed by those that fought WWI and the children they sent to fight WWII.

My folks ended up going in 2005, after I finished college, and LOVED it. I think dad's retirement plan is to live in Normandy and be a tour guide September-May. We had an AWESOME experience in France, and I can't recommend the area highly enough. We rented a car and it was so easy to get around.

There have been some really interesting research developments on WWII battlefields, like combining archaeology with GIS technology to spatially understand how the battle played out. The information garnered has really re-interpreted how battles played out, especially at Shiloh. Good stuff!

[Cat Grad]

We went to Omaha Beach last fall when we visited France. I've now been to Gettysburg and Normandy, and man... what an incredibly moving experience.

Great learning experiences. Your father always told the boosters he wanted to go to Normandy and spoke in awe of the soldiers from that era. Been on most Civil War battlefields taking notes, all over the 3d Infantry and 7th Cavs most famous site, the Big Hole and Bear Paws, but D-Day and the Bulge still baffle me as to how my grandparents generation could direct my parents generation into this action. What love and a sense of duty displayed by those that fought WWI and the children they sent to fight WWII.

My folks ended up going in 2005, after I finished college, and LOVED it. I think dad's retirement plan is to live in Normandy and be a tour guide September-May. We had an AWESOME experience in France, and I can't recommend the area highly enough. We rented a car and it was so easy to get around.

There have been some really interesting research developments on WWII battlefields, like combining archaeology with GIS technology to spatially understand how the battle played out. The information garnered has really re-interpreted how battles played out, especially at Shiloh. Good stuff!

Given your fascination with history, what would be really cool for you would be to complete your Phd and spend a few years teaching at Hudson High (West Point). With a decent security clearance you'd get to see some mind numbing photos and pictures. Sometime within your own line of work, you may want to go out to the old rifle ranges on the Fort Ellis site. I used to have a canteen with the 7th Cav stamp that I found fishing in the Gallatin right after high water. Who knows, you may be able to find where the payroll for the 7th Cav and 3d Inf is located.

[AlphaOAlum]

We went to Omaha Beach last fall when we visited France. I've now been to Gettysburg and Normandy, and man... what an incredibly moving experience.

Great learning experiences. Your father always told the boosters he wanted to go to Normandy and spoke in awe of the soldiers from that era. Been on most Civil War battlefields taking notes, all over the 3d Infantry and 7th Cavs most famous site, the Big Hole and Bear Paws, but D-Day and the Bulge still baffle me as to how my grandparents generation could direct my parents generation into this action. What love and a sense of duty displayed by those that fought WWI and the children they sent to fight WWII.

My folks ended up going in 2005, after I finished college, and LOVED it. I think dad's retirement plan is to live in Normandy and be a tour guide September-May. We had an AWESOME experience in France, and I can't recommend the area highly enough. We rented a car and it was so easy to get around.

There have been some really interesting research developments on WWII battlefields, like combining archaeology with GIS technology to spatially understand how the battle played out. The information garnered has really re-interpreted how battles played out, especially at Shiloh. Good stuff!

Given your fascination with history, what would be really cool for you would be to complete your Phd and spend a few years teaching at Hudson High (West Point). With a decent security clearance you'd get to see some mind numbing photos and pictures. Sometime within your own line of work, you may want to go out to the old rifle ranges on the Fort Ellis site. I used to have a canteen with the 7th Cav stamp that I found fishing in the Gallatin right after high water. Who knows, you may be able to find where the payroll for the 7th Cav and 3d Inf is located.

I've considered a PhDuh but... I'm lazy, and the cost vs. benefit analysis isn't pretty at this point in my (our) lives. That said, I'm pretty happy getting to do public history in Bozeman right now. I met a guy at a conference a few years ago who was, I'm not ****** you, really looking for Henry Plummer's gold... He was serious too. And seemingly un-crazy. He thought it was up in the Sun River area somewhere.

[Cat Grad]

I have my theory on Plummer and where it went. The original list of corrupt people that Yeager gave to the vigilantes spelled the original shopkeeper that beat the hangmen as Crayton (I believe) rather than Creighton. He made it back to Omaha. Check out all the pictures you can find of the vigilantes and you'll notice the Mason's symbol someplace--just like in the movie The whole story of Ringling and then there's all the mistakes about Bozeman Pass--a great deal of error perpetuated in Dorothy Johnson's misinformative book about the bloody Bozeman. Research the Paradise Valley and write some neat books about how they actually got to Nevada and Virginia City.

[AlphaOAlum]

I have my theory on Plummer and where it went. The original list of corrupt people that Yeager gave to the vigilantes spelled the original shopkeeper that beat the hangmen as Crayton (I believe) rather than Creighton. He made it back to Omaha.

And I have a good friend attending Law School at Creighton in Omaha. See? SEE? This is why history is fascinating!

[AlphaOAlum]

Back on the D-Day topic, did anyone notice that The History Channel was playing... wait for it... wait for it... Cajun Pawn Stars last night?

That put the nail in the coffin for me on the History Channel last night.

[CapitalCityCat]

Back on the D-Day topic, did anyone notice that The History Channel was playing... wait for it... wait for it... Cajun Pawn Stars last night?

That put the nail in the coffin for me on the History Channel last night.

Agreed. On another note, I noticed that the Hatfields and McCoys trilogy that the History Channel recently aired had the highest ratings for the week. You think they'd learn something from that. Of course, MTV is still hanging on all these years without having anything that resembles music on their network.

[Cat Grad]

Surprising how little we recognize this history defining event anymore.

[SaxCat]

As someone who majored in history, I have been incredibly saddened by the History Channel. Did they over do their shows on WWII and the Civil War for most of the 90s and early 2000s? Absolutely. But now, when given the chance to produce some amazing material and tie it into the context of today via anniversaries of important events they produce crass celebrations of pop culture that have little historical value.

With so many of our veterans of WWII passing each day, our national treasure diminishes. We are steadily loosing our ties to that great struggle that defined much of what America is today. Sadly, the History Channel, and many of us are all to ready to let WWII slip from living history to the dusty tomes in libraries, faded pictures, and video reels that lack context. WWII is quickly joining the ranks of WWI, the Civil War, and the American Revolution as dead history that we no longer have direct ties to.

Along with their lack of anything about D-Day, I am very disillusioned with their "celebration" of the 150 year anniversay of the Civil War. I have talked to so many people that thought History Channel could produce some amazing work that could be released in conjunction with the anniversaries of individual battles, elections, and other important events. Alas..... pawn brokers and picking through heaps of crap no one has used since the civil war seem to sate our cultural ADHD for the next five minutes.


/end rant

[Cat Grad]

As someone who majored in history, I have been incredibly saddened by the History Channel. Did they over do their shows on WWII and the Civil War for most of the 90s and early 2000s? Absolutely. But now, when given the chance to produce some amazing material and tie it into the context of today via anniversaries of important events they produce crass celebrations of pop culture that have little historical value.

With so many of our veterans of WWII passing each day, our national treasure diminishes. We are steadily loosing our ties to that great struggle that defined much of what America is today. Sadly, the History Channel, and many of us are all to ready to let WWII slip from living history to the dusty tomes in libraries, faded pictures, and video reels that lack context. WWII is quickly joining the ranks of WWI, the Civil War, and the American Revolution as dead history that we no longer have direct ties to.

Along with their lack of anything about D-Day, I am very disillusioned with their "celebration" of the 150 year anniversay of the Civil War. I have talked to so many people that thought History Channel could produce some amazing work that could be released in conjunction with the anniversaries of individual battles, elections, and other important events. Alas..... pawn brokers and picking through heaps of crap no one has used since the civil war seem to sate our cultural ADHD for the next five minutes.

The first thing i need to do in response to you post is congratulate you in getting accepted to an institution such as Davis! I don't know your academic pursuits but I know you'll do well given the foundation you've recieved. I hope you remember your roots as you move on in life and never learn to make excuses--that's what losers such as the by-products 200 miles to the west of Bozeman does. Perhaps one day we'll see you back in the Gallatin producing documentaries of our history and I hope and pray somebody on the "faculty" 200 miles to Bozeman's west doesn't attempt to discredit your accomplishments in jealousy. Let's hope we learn to celebrate the accomplishments of all our students, soldiers, and representatives instead of belittling what they do. We ought to be proud of the accomplishments and beliefs of all our MSU kindred spirits.


/end rant

[RK Cat]

I think this may be one of the best speeches I have heard. Highly suggest. FDR's prayer

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/201 ... =allsearch fixed link

[Old Skool Cat]

I've said it before, but it's worth noting time and again. Tom Brokaw could never have said truer words when he called this generation, "The Greatest Generation." I can't imagine a time or place where more people so willingly gave of themselves for a common cause. Our grandfathers went overseas to war, our grandmothers went into the factories to work, everyone bought war bonds to help fund the effort, and the USO was created to help support everyone involved. My grandfather was stationed on the U.S.S. West Virginia in the Pacific theater. He didn't like to talk about it much, but I always knew if called again he would go without hesitation. We owe so much to The Greatest Generation, and I for one think it's truly sad that over time those heroics are slowly being forgotten.

[Cat Grad]

I've said it before, but it's worth noting time and again. Tom Brokaw could never have said truer words when he called this generation, "The Greatest Generation." I can't imagine a time or place where more people so willingly gave of themselves for a common cause. Our grandfathers went overseas to war, our grandmothers went into the factories to work, everyone bought war bonds to help fund the effort, and the USO was created to help support everyone involved. My grandfather was stationed on the U.S.S. West Virginia in the Pacific theater. He didn't like to talk about it much, but I always knew if called again he would go without hesitation. We owe so much to The Greatest Generation, and I for one think it's truly sad that over time those heroics are slowly being forgotten.

Each and every time I leave the Vet's Home in Columbia Falls, I leave with such a deeper understanding of what my parent's generation must have felt and truly come to appreciate those that fought WWI so much more. To sit and listen to the old soldiers talk about what eastern Montana was like during the depression and then have December 7 happen seems unbelievable to me; guys that said their mothers took them to the recruiter and when they found out what everybody back home went through during that three year and nine month period makes me appreciate even more my grandparents for the leadership and unbearable pain they must have felt losing so many sons. Even more unbelievable to me is that those same leaders during this time provided such opportunities for my parents upon their return even though it meant they would in all likelyhood do without. Those were the tough ones.

[ChiOCat]

Thank you Grandpa. You would never talk about it, but you did with me when I was a little boy.

After you passed away, I got to tell some of your stories to my Aunts and Uncles, and my Dad...your kids. I wish you had told them, but some of your experiences and injuries haunted you, and still caused you pain until you died - some painful reminders of a German grenade were a permanent part of your stomach and chest.....and the limp that never went away from the broken leg you suffered from jumping from a plane and landing in a French field on June 5. Those were only the visible wounds that you carried for almost 60 years after the war. You made it out alive, and could never really understand why.
I'm honored that you shared your D-Day and Battle of the Bulge experiences with a young boy. The best I can do is pass it on to my kids....and then to my grandkids when they come. We won't forget what you, and millions of others did.....and are still doing for us.
You wouldn't ever accept it, but you are my hero.


Thanks for posting this thread Cat Grad.....and thanks for bearing with me on my short and uneloquent and inadequate, but heartfelt thoughts about my Grandpa.

Great post! My grandpa didn't talk at all either. His last few years he made some comments about the Japanese that made my politically correct raised little mind spin (I was college age then). He flew bombers in the Burmese theater and after reading Unbroken I have a lot more understanding. But I wish he'd told us more!

It's hard to impress upon our children, who believe it's a hardship to not have an iPod and to have to go 2 months without their PS3, what true sacrifice is.