Thank you for visiting Norm's Ramblins! On Monday, we had the largest number of visitors -- EVER! That's a joy to see as these men and women of "the Greatest Generation have always been my heroes... as well as those who served in every war. I was never called to serve and did not volunteer. Went for my physical just as the Korean War ended and was never inducted. I guess that's why I'm so gung-ho about those who did go and those who gave everything for my freedom.
Our first family member who served his country in a military way was my great grandfather, Abram Plunkett. served with the 72nd Indiana Mounted Infantry in the Civil War and was one of Wilder's Brigade - a crack brigade that was instrumental in the march across Tennessee with the Army of the Cumberland, Battle of Chattanooga, Chickamauga and the move to Atlanta and it's seige. His unit was the first across the Chattahoochee at Roswell. Then my Uncle Tommy Parfit was with General Pershing on the Rio Grande chasing Poncho Villa in training for thier final trip to France and the Battle of the Arrgonne.
As a small boy, a deep respect for every military person was instilled in my mind and heart that has stayed with me in my old age. Whenever I see a serviceman or worman today, mainily at a restaurant or the Atlanta airport, I always go up to them, when conveneient for them, to shake their hand and persoanlly thank them for their life. Now, here's my memory. Do you have one? My email is not working on this site, but I'd like to hear from you... norman@peachmm.com
My next door neighbor, retired Col. Charles Crawford, has quite a legasy, His father, Retired Col, Robert Crawford was on Gen. Omar Bradley's staff and stationed in Ireland where they planned the logistics of the Normandy Invasion - D-Day Generation have always been my heroes... as well as those who served in every war.
Already heard from an old classmate from Wauwatosa High School. Rolf Dehmel, Class of '53 and resident of Breckenridge CO and the woods of Eastern PA, wrote: "In 1989, we visited Omaha Beach. It was a warm, sunny day with light breezes as we enjoyed a picnic of wine and cheese and thought about the significance of what lay beneath us as we sat atop a German gun emplacement. It was so peaceful, that it was hard to believe the site as a battlefield.
Upon departing, we happened to see the US cemetery and went into the grounds. There were four of us, and each took a separate path on a very hallowed place. We were overcome with emotion, seeing all those headstones in very perfect rows. I will never forgot what I saw that day and the meaning of it. Have you read Stephen Ambrose's book, "D-Day" ? I highly recommend it. Captures the spirit and contribution of all that made the landing at Omaha beach a success. ( Steve Ambrose was the roommate of another Tosa '53 classmate at the University of Wisconsin., my good friend Bob Becker. NP) The National Geographic depiction of what was involved was very well done.
Another Wauwatosa, WI classmate responded this mornng to this page and Rolf Dehmel's note. Jim Barrington, Class of '54, wrote the following: Norm & Rolf - Hard to believe the paratroops were landing 63 years ago right now. Wow! I first visited the D-Day Beaches in the fall of 1955. I was ordered there to see if further demoiltions of various fixed installations was still necessary.At that time a lot of the carnage had been removed, but it was still a very sobering place.
I have visited Normandy cemetary several time since, and in it completed form it is beautiful. We living can be proud of the AMBC and their continual care of these cemetarys. I have also visited a few of the other ETO AMBC cemetaries, and though not a large of well known as the Omaha Beach complex, they are well tended and somber. I have also visited a few cemetaries of both Allied and Axis solders in various parts of Europe and Italy. All are a reminder of just terrible can be the results of a few meglomaniacs in the world. Ican only say that the United States we have known is here only because of the literal millions of our citizens that have fought and in many many case died to start and to preserve it.
Perhaps the saying that is the most meaningful is: LEST WE FORGET!
GOD Bless the USA !! Jim "Papa Bear" Barrington "54 So. California
By Jove, I think we have a modified "Blog" going here.... I've been doing this column and blogging for the past ten years - long befroe the word "Blog" was ever thought of. Aren't those great letters? Thanks Rolf and Jim for enhancing the tribute I try to give each year. Now my memory when I was nine years old.
I can still hear our Milwaukee Sentinel paperboy as he walked down the center of Cedar Street crying, "Extra! Extra! Read all about it. Allied Forces Invade France!" I was a month away from my tenth birthday. I remember my mother opened up the front bedroom window and asked the paperboy what he had just said. When she heard it again she gave me a dime and told me to run outside and get a paper. We still have that newspaper.
Many believe the invasion of France was the most important event in the human history of the world. I guess there would be few today who would agree to that. Seems that the further one gets away from the event, the more it loses its importance. With our schools teaching less than two hours about the Second World War, soon our culture will not even have a factual knowledge of important events in our country's history. I'm glad I won't be here to see it. What I see today is more than I want to know.
I'll never forget mentioning to an adult acquaintance that the anniversary of D-Day would be observed soon. His response to me was, “What’s D-Day?”
Oh, my! The dumbing down process over the years has done its job to our culture. You and I have a responsibility to inform and excite those “who have missed knowing about our heritage” so they will pass it on to others. As they say, “We are one generation away from . . .”
So now you have a hint of why I like to communicate nostalgia and important historical events. I want to keep the Boomers informed and try to teach the younger ones who will stop long enough to check things out. I trust the attractiveness of today's page will be both entertaining and educational. For some unknown reason, The Normandy Invasion, D-Day, is probably the most important historical date for me in the year.
To start our D-Day observance today, we invite you to click the link at the bottom of this article and visit an excellent site that was created by the National Geographic Society.
A visit to this site will provide some superb background and "untold stories" of what happened on that incredible, tense, somber, fierce day 63-years ago.
This would be a good weekend to rent the movie “Saving Private Ryan” or for a less graphic portrayal, “The Longest Day.”
Streaming audio of actual CBS Radio reports are available below. You can listen to uninterrupted streaming audio we've prepared just for you. We have six hours of actual D-Day broadcasts. There's music, news accounts, soap operas, and a full lineup of reporting and special features. You can load one of the hour programs and then go back to working on other computer projects while you listen.
-Norm Plunkett
