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Cattle?
Gates, Military Members Reflect on D-Day Heroism COLEVILLE-SUR-MER, France – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates was among hundreds of people who walked today above the windswept cliffs and paused among fog-shrouded headstones here to honor those who died during the D-Day invasion. The secretary took a private moment in the American Cemetery, reflecting on row after row of crosses and Stars of David that serve as the final resting place for 9,387 of those killed on D-Day and in the bloody days that followed. He traveled several miles down the road to Point du Hoc to look out over Utah and Omaha beaches and hear the story of the 2nd Ranger Battalion that scaled a 100-foot cliff to face off against German bunkers and gun turrets. More D-Day Coverage Earlier in the morning during his address at the D-Day commemoration, Gates praised the heroism and sacrifice demonstrated here. “Stories of valor were countless,” he told the audience. “As gunfire rained down, men stopped to pull comrades from the water. Alone or outnumbered, they charged heavily fortified positions. … No amount of firepower could overwhelm their instincts, their bravery, their compassion and their humor.” Among those heroes was Walter Ehlers, who returned here today to pay tribute to his brother, Roland, and other soldiers he served with who died on D-Day. Ehlers earned the Medal of Honor in the action here with the 1st Infantry Division’s 18th Infantry Regiment and said it’s a miracle that he, too, wasn’t among those killed. “A lot of my friends are here,” said Ehlers, now 86. “They are all my brothers. It’s important that we give them as much honor as possible.” Most importantly, he said, “we need to make sure they didn’t die in vain.” Ehlers said the cemetery and the new visitor’s center will ensure these soldiers aren’t forgotten in history. He called it “a very wonderful place to come and commemorate and remember the sacrifices made by these men.” Harley Reynolds, who wore his old Army jacket with its staff sergeant stripes to today’s ceremony, said he takes special pride in the American Cemetery. Reynolds’ 1st Infantry Division unit was in the first D-Day wave, landing on Omaha Beach and seizing the land where the land above. “This ground was taken by my company on the first day,” Reynolds said proudly. “We are a part of history.” It’s a history retired Army Gen. Frederick Franks Jr., chairman of the American Battle Monuments Commission, said continues to inspire troops serving today. Franks praised those who served and were buried here as they “carried the hopes and care of the free world on their young shoulders.” These troops fought for freedom through “duty and service to something larger than themselves” and set the example for those who followed in their footsteps. Franks said a new generation of men and women in uniform draws inspiration from them. Among them is Cpl. Justin Clark, who is assigned to Marine Corps Embassy Security Command at the U.S. Embassy in Paris but came to today’s ceremony today to provide support. “It’s an honor” to be able to recognize the D-Day heroes, he said. Clark said he’s proud to be part of what’s been called “the next great generation,” another generation of U.S. troops fighting for their country as their World War II contemporaries did. “We follow their example,” he said. “They laid it down. We just carry it on.” Army Pfc. Christian Lozano was among about 60 1st Armored Division soldiers, many slated to return to Iraq this fall, who took a 10-hour bus ride from Baumholder, Germany, to serve as color guards and escorts and for the ceremony. “These guys are hard-core,” he said of the D-Day veterans. “They showed us what it’s all about.” Army Spc. John Jennings, also with the “Old Ironsides” division, said that despite differences between World War II and Iraq and the way the wars are being fought, striking similarities remain. “The big picture is the same,” he said. “We are fighting for our freedom. We are fighting for our future.” Army Brig. Gen. Yves Fontaine, logistics officer for U.S. Army Europe, called today’s ceremony a moving tribute to the men who died here, as well as to World War II veterans who survived. They showed the price of freedom and the qualities it takes to preserve it, he said. | |
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Justin1972UK said: I'm sorry, but I didn't invent either the concept or logistics of war...
I'm not apologising for anything I've said. In war, people are treated as cattle. I find militaristic displays in rememberance of war's casualties, to be offensive. You can all go back to your photo threads and popularity contests now. You didnt say they were TREATED as cattle you said they WERE CATTLE. | |
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mdiver said: Justin1972UK said: I'm sorry, but I didn't invent either the concept or logistics of war...
I'm not apologising for anything I've said. In war, people are treated as cattle. I find militaristic displays in rememberance of war's casualties, to be offensive. You can all go back to your photo threads and popularity contests now. You didnt say they were TREATED as cattle you said they WERE CATTLE. I think you have made your point. But Justin1972UK's posts have somewhat upset me that he can sit here typing saying all these heroes are cattle. Procrastination is the art of keeping up with yesterday.
Don Marquis (1878 - 1937) | |
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mdiver said: Justin1972UK said: I'm sorry, but I didn't invent either the concept or logistics of war...
I'm not apologising for anything I've said. In war, people are treated as cattle. I find militaristic displays in rememberance of war's casualties, to be offensive. You can all go back to your photo threads and popularity contests now. You didnt say they were TREATED as cattle you said they WERE CATTLE. Okay, then... In war, people are cattle. | |
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Justin1972UK said: mdiver said: You didnt say they were TREATED as cattle you said they WERE CATTLE. Okay, then... In war, people are cattle. Can you please refrain from saying that. Most go to war because they are fighting for something they believe in, and they have fought for their country and freedom of others, YOU included. You are disprespecting so many saying that. Your posts and constant repetiveness of such a stupid statement shows you are more cattle than anyone here. Put simply, very cowardly. Procrastination is the art of keeping up with yesterday.
Don Marquis (1878 - 1937) | |
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Justin1972UK said: mdiver said: You didnt say they were TREATED as cattle you said they WERE CATTLE. Okay, then... In war, people are cattle. People with that kind of attitude don't deserve the freedom they fought for. The men that laid their lives so you could have the right to be who you are they deserve better than to be likened to stupid,unthinking domestic creatures that can't decide anything for themselves.You are typical of what was discussed earlier in this thread, the kind of person that reaps the benefits of their sacrifices and then spits in the face of those that gave it to you.Despicable attitude.Truly despicable. | |
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MissMe said: 11.11.11
For those trees that needlessly are slaughtered You really are all fucking mental. | |
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mdiver said: One of my favourite poems
The Soldier If I should die, think only this of me: That there's some corner of a foreign field That is for ever England. There shall be In that rich earth a richer dust concealed; A dust whom England bore, shaped, made aware, Gave, once, her flowers to love, her ways to roam, A body of England's, breathing English air, Washed by the rivers, blest by suns of home. And think, this heart, all evil shed away, A pulse in the eternal mind, no less Gives somewhere back the thoughts by England given; Her sights and sounds; dreams happy as her day; And laughter, learnt of friends; and gentleness, In hearts at peace, under an English heaven. The poet, Rupert Brooke was a notorious jingoist whom the War Office considered pulling back to England so he could safely pen his propaganda-like verse. http://peter-rivendell.bl...rooke.html He died of a mosquito bite. . [Edited 11/12/07 11:42am] | |
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Justin1972UK said: mdiver said: One of my favourite poems
The Soldier If I should die, think only this of me: That there's some corner of a foreign field That is for ever England. There shall be In that rich earth a richer dust concealed; A dust whom England bore, shaped, made aware, Gave, once, her flowers to love, her ways to roam, A body of England's, breathing English air, Washed by the rivers, blest by suns of home. And think, this heart, all evil shed away, A pulse in the eternal mind, no less Gives somewhere back the thoughts by England given; Her sights and sounds; dreams happy as her day; And laughter, learnt of friends; and gentleness, In hearts at peace, under an English heaven. The poet, Rupert Brooke was a notorious jingoist whom the War Office considered pulling back to England so he could safely pen his propaganda-like verse. http://peter-rivendell.bl...rooke.html He died of a mosquito bite. . [Edited 11/12/07 11:42am] And????? Your point is? Actually your opinion is clear and I really dont care what you think or what your opinion of this is.You have demonstrated what you are. | |
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Justin1972UK said: mdiver said: You didnt say they were TREATED as cattle you said they WERE CATTLE. Okay, then... In war, people are cattle. Too bad the Germans didn't drop a buzzbomb on your grandma's house in 1940. We don’t mourn artists because we knew them. We mourn them because they helped us know ourselves. | |
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Genesia said: Too bad the Germans didn't drop a buzzbomb on your grandma's house in 1940.
Neither of my grandmothers lived in a house circa 1940, as they were both serving in the armed forces as domestic help, at two separate army barracks. | |
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Justin1972UK said: Genesia said: Too bad the Germans didn't drop a buzzbomb on your grandma's house in 1940.
Neither of my grandmothers lived in a house circa 1940, as they were both serving in the armed forces as domestic help, at two separate army barracks. They must be so proud of you. We don’t mourn artists because we knew them. We mourn them because they helped us know ourselves. | |
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Genesia said: Justin1972UK said: Neither of my grandmothers lived in a house circa 1940, as they were both serving in the armed forces as domestic help, at two separate army barracks. They must be so proud of you. I am ashamed of people like this. Procrastination is the art of keeping up with yesterday.
Don Marquis (1878 - 1937) | |
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mdiver said: Justin1972UK said: Okay, then... In war, people are cattle. People with that kind of attitude don't deserve the freedom they fought for. The men that laid their lives so you could have the right to be who you are they deserve better than to be likened to stupid,unthinking domestic creatures that can't decide anything for themselves.You are typical of what was discussed earlier in this thread, the kind of person that reaps the benefits of their sacrifices and then spits in the face of those that gave it to you.Despicable attitude.Truly despicable. I couldn't have said it better. Procrastination is the art of keeping up with yesterday.
Don Marquis (1878 - 1937) | |
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Justin1972UK said: MissMe said: 11.11.11
For those trees that needlessly are slaughtered You really are all fucking mental. Unfortunately, I will never forget you having said all that you have on this thread. Procrastination is the art of keeping up with yesterday.
Don Marquis (1878 - 1937) | |
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