I was quite busy and missed most of the D-Day posts over the weekend. I thought some might enjoy getting to see how the Eisenhower Pres. Library commemorated that fateful day.

We held a wreath laying at Ike's statue that morning followed by the opening of a new exhibit that presented artifacts from the Marianas Campaign, Operation Bagration, and of course, Overlord. Panels were held discussing the Ritchie Boys, D-Day landings (with 3 surviving vets from Omaha), and life on the home front. we had delegations from Poland, Great Britain, and Canada who joined in.

I was extremely humbled over the weekend. While it is quoted far to often, I believe a passage from Pericles "Funeral Oration" fit the moment perfectly.

quote:

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The sacrifice which they collectively made was individually repaid to them; for they received again each one for himself a praise which grows not old, and the noblest of all tombs, I speak not of that in which their remains are laid, but of that in which their glory survives, and is proclaimed always and on every fitting occasion both in word and deed. For the whole earth is the tomb of famous men; not only are they commemorated by columns and inscriptions in their own country, but in foreign lands there dwells also an unwritten memorial of them, graven not on stone but in the hearts of men.

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Here are few pics from the day.



Presenting of Colors



Audie Murphy Plt. from 1st Infantry Division



Standing Post on the Wreath



All of the Combat Vets pose in front of Ike



Hanging the flag flown on D-Day by the USS Ancon, the Amphibious flagship for Omaha Beach.