This day in history June 6, 1944. Nazi Germany had occupied much of Europe along with their ally Italy. Millions of Jews had been imprisoned and murdered in their death camps. England was being pounded from the air by the Luftwaffe and even Russia was being invaded. America, staying neutral avoided the atrocities, before being awakened as a sleeping giant by the sneak attack at Pearl Harbor by Germany's eastern ally Japan. American entered the war.
The world was in a dark place, but the tide was about to change!
The huge invasion of mainland Europe by the United States, England and their allies began on this day June 6, 1944, known as D-Day, was about to begin on the open beaches of Normandy in France across the English Channel.
Here is a recollection of that day from a still living participant in D-Day from that "Greatest Generation" of Americans that loved, lived and died for world freedom and for our wonderful country, the United States of America on this our 250th birthday year. God bless America.
World War II veteran reveals feelings before D-Day 82 years later
Rose described the 'funny feeling' of sailing toward France and the chaos of loading supplies for the invasion
By Robert McGreevy Fox News
Published June 6, 2026 2:35pm EDT. The story follows:
World War II veteran Arthur Rose read a letter written a few days after June 6, 1944, at a ceremony Saturday in Normandy, France, as part of a commemoration of the 82 years since D-Day.
"Dear mom and dad and kids, About a month before we landed, I had a feeling I might be part of the invasion. I couldn't quite believe, though, that I would. I kept thinking, what could I possibly do in an invasion? Pull engines in the middle of a battle? I figured men like me would come along afterwards — after they cleared the wreckage and the damage had passed," Rose read to the crowd.
"But two weeks before D-Day, I was told I would go along and do whatever I could. We had moved to the assault port. Thousands of ships and landing craft of every description filled the harbor. Everyone worked day and night preparing fuel, provisions, ammunition and secret material. Everything was checked and rechecked and checked again. You can imagine the confusion and activity," he continued.
"Then came the day we began loading supplies for the invasion: food, blankets, ammunition, and all the countless things that would be needed once the men landed in France. We knew then the invasion could not be far. Then came the word: D-Day will be June 6th.
"I can't describe the feeling exactly. It wasn't fear, and it wasn't excitement. Just a funny feeling — nervousness, expectancy, and wondering what was going to happen next. Then we sailed. The sea was rough, windy, and miserable. I was seasick most of the time. Everyone expected bombing, submarines, battleships, and all hell to break loose at any moment. But the first attempt was called off because the sea was too rough, and we returned to the harbor. That was a real letdown," Rose continued.
"The next day, we sailed again. Near the coast of France, we could see flashes in the distance and hear the explosions continuously. In went the landing craft. We expected terrible destruction, as there was shelling, and men died. But not all of us," he read.
"Then our work truly began: back and forth, day and night, bringing in equipment, medical supplies, and ammunition. What had once been just another stretch of French coast had suddenly become a vast harbor filled with hundreds of ships and thousands of men."
At this point, Arthur stopped reading and said aloud, "I don't remember writing this.
"I will always be grateful to my commander for taking me along. Don't worry about me. I am well, and whole, and happy. Love, Art.
From an American whose father Edward Masich fought in Europe in WWII and whose grandfather Lloyd Gibson in WWI
Thank YOU Arthur.
We have a beautiful flag (Photo by Michelle Bryant, Pixabay)
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