Unbetitelt

Every year, French caretakers take sand from Omaha Beach in Normandy and scrub it into the lettering to give them the gold coloring.

They do this for all 9,386 US soldiers who died.

At this time (06/06, 6:30AM CEST), H-Hour on Omaha Beach. The landings begin on Omaha.

Troops look towards Omaha Beach. 06 June 1944.

At this time (06/06, 6:30AM CEST), H-Hour on Utah Beach. The landings begin on Utah.

American troops move onto Utah Beach. 06 June 1944.

At this time (06/06, 3AM CEST), landing craft off the coast of Normandy were being prepared to launch.

Landing craft head for the Normandy beaches. 06 June 1944.

At this time (06/06, 1:54AM CEST), members of the 82nd Airborne dropped over Normandy.

Members of the 82nd do equipment checks before the invasion.

6 June 1944. A Republic P-47D Thunderbolt flies over Utah Beach on an escort mission.

Around this time (06/06, 1AM CEST), members of the 101st Airborne parachuted into Normandy.

Gen. Eisenhower visits with members of the 101st Airborne before the D-Day Invasion. 05 June 1944.

6 June 1944. Spitfire of the VCS-7 led by Lieutenant Commander William Denton, D-Day.

At this time (06/06, 12:15 AM CEST), the first 101st Pathfinders were landing in France. The invasion of France had officially begun...

Members of the 101st Pathfinders

German prisoners are marched to the beach, past Lieutenant Colonel James E. Rudder (center, top). The U.S. flag is prominently displayed to quell fire from U.S. tanks landing on Utah and Omaha Beaches below.

Members of the WWII Airborne Demonstration Team pose for a group photo before their flight. The team showcases the gear worn by US Paratroopers of the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions for the invasion of Normandy.

Pictured above: The WWII ADT was showcasing their jump operations at their home at Frederick Army Air Field/KFDR, Frederick, Oklahoma.

On June 5, 1944, over 18,000 men of the U.S. 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions along with the British 6th Airborne Division, climbed aboard 2,395 aircraft and 867 gliders to fly to their designated drop zones in Normandy, France.

humansofjudaism

Martin Freeman begins the D-Day 80 service by reading the memories of veteran Joe Mines

March no more my soldier laddie, There is peace where there once was war. Sleep in peace my soldier laddie, Sleep in peace, now the battle's over.

Chorus from When the Battle’s Over (also known as The Last Rose of Summer)