D-Day

Nice tribute Jack.

Second that. Really nice.

Very classy, Jack. Couldn't have said it better myself.

Excellent. Thank you, sir.

Jack, 13 years ago my father and I took a trip across the battlefield of Europe, and two stood out to me: Verdun and Normandy. The latter held special significance for my father, as he lost an uncle he never would know 5 weeks after the invasion just inland of the beaches. To walk through the terrain, view the remnants of the German gun batteries, and imagine the horror for the earliest men coming off the LSTs--it was awe-inspiring.

Both my grandfathers enlisted as soon as they were 18. My father retired last year after 36 years in the military. I'm grateful that writers understand that the ones who put their lives on the line are the ones who deserve the most thanks, so that others like me can work, watch a little football, and live well. Thanks for the post--and I hope you can impress upon more players the importance of what the men and women in uniform do, too.

That is a place high on my list to visit. At age 43, I've grown up extremely lucky. My dad's and uncles' lives spanned the end of World War I, the Depression, World War II, Vietnam,...and we get obsessed over whether or not Favre plays for the Vikings. They were truly the Greatest Generation.

I was in France a few years ago with some friends (American students). While we were sitting in the subway an elderly lady (80s) came up to us and started to talk to us in French and thank us. We knew very few words in French but it was obvious she was saying thank you. It was very obvious to me that she knew we were Americans and based on her age and her thanking us I can only assume that she was thanking us as a proxy for the soldiers from WW2.

I hope Aaron had heard such stories before his death. And for those soldiers who may read this post know that you work will be remembered for ages. One day in the future some old man or old woman will walk up to an American student and thank them because they never had the opportunity to thank you personally.

I'm shocked that Jerry even reads Jack's columns anymore after that vitriolic nonsense he spouted about his last article. Perhaps he has come around to reasonableness?

I went to the WW II Memorial today. It was a special day, marked by the presence of grizzled old men in wheelchairs, each with a story to tell. I wanted to thank each one of them for their service to our nation, and for the sacrifices they have made. At Walter Reed Army Medical Center, I have witnessed this same desire, even from NFL players who visit, to pay their respects to another generation of warriors, whose bodies may be severely injured, but whose spirits remain strong. Thanks for a great article.

Jack: I recommend that you also visit a german cemetary while you are there. The contrast is stark and it is interesting to see how the same event can be portrayed in such a vastly different manner.

It's hard to imagine what a sacrifice and accomplishment D-day was. Looking down the cliffs only makes it all the more impressive.

The greatest sacrifice by the greatest generation that lived, ever.

I agree with Justin-R. You should visit the German cemetery at La Cambe. It's a sobering experience, in utter contrast to the pride of the Allied cemeteries. Your photos brought back memories of when I lived in France - those are the gun emplacements at Longues-sur-mer, I believe.

Unrelated story: My great-grandfather died in Belgium in the First World War. His final words, spoken to his best friend, were "Take care of her," referring to his wife. His best friend survived the last year of the war, returned home to England, and married my great-grandmother. I'm not sure that was 100% what my great-grandfather had in mind, but they had a long and happy marriage, and everyone accepted that it had his blessing.