1944. A bit before the time of many nowadays. They are here and living a freeish life because so many brave men paid a horrendous price back then.
Let us give a moment's thought to Warriors and Farm-Boys, Knights and Squires. They sailed in the largest invasion fleet the world had even seen.
The Greek fleet sailing to Troy, a thousand ships all launched for a beautiful woman, paled into history's sepia memory when 326,000 Anglomen sailed to liberate millions of beautiful women - and men and children and countries. They went not for booty but duty.
Not all of the 326,547 left the beach on their own feet.
The reality of that contested landing was far more deadly than the map could show.
And the result?
A freed Europe.
And grave-yards full.
No man is an island,
Entire of itself.
Each is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less.
As well as if a promontory were.
As well as if a manor of thine own
Or of thine friend's were.
Each man's death diminishes me,
For I am involved in mankind.
Therefore, send not to know
For whom the bell tolls,
It tolls for thee.
Many a clod was washed away that day.
E'en in victory we remain diminished.
Drink to the Souls of fine men and boys.
Update:
I almost overlooked - I bet you did too - the ladies. After the men and boys stormed the beaches and secured them, the ladies came to tend the wounded.
Update:
I almost overlooked - I bet you did too - the ladies. After the men and boys stormed the beaches and secured them, the ladies came to tend the wounded.
Pax.
Men of courage and honor. They believed in somehing much bigger than themselves....so rare men exist nowadays. Great post dear friend. (The Southern Girl). :)
ReplyDeleteDrink to those who didn't make it. Drink with those who did.
DeleteAnd time marches on... people forget or even worse did not know it in the first place.
ReplyDeleteOver the weekend I visited Lincoln Castle and saw the ceramic poppies of remembrance. And discussed in local (Lincoln) bars the cost of many, many lives that lead to our freedom.
Which logically led to thoughts of 'In or Out' in the upcoming vote on remaining or leaving the EU.
Yes many do forget. It is up to the dwindling survivors of the age to remember. And that we shall do.
DeleteA toast to those who gave their all and to those who survived the brutality of battle. They were indeed a great generation. Let us never forget the price they paid...
ReplyDeleteA fighting man understands the investment and the cost. Great men are amongst us still, awaiting the Bugle-call. I shall pull your pint Sir.
DeleteOne day I must ask the customers about the air cover on D-Day. I do know quite a bit and that one particular Air Vice Marshal planned and coordinated every single aircraft attack, every rocket and bomb, months in advance.
ReplyDeletePS. That was AVM Sir Cecil 'Boy' Bouchier.
ReplyDelete