Posted by hummingbird on 6/6/2014, 7:44 am VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV
A side note...It was 70 years ago today that D-Day actually happened, June 6, 1944.
Chapter Twenty
Two nights later found the troops listening to the voice of Dwight D. Eisenhower as he gave the Order of the Day in preparation for their invasion.
Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force!
You are about to embark on the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave allies and brothers-in-arms on other Fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world.
Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well-trained, well-equipped, and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely...
Bo and Sal heard these words via loudspeaker aboard ship. Some soldiers were given this order by letter late on the evening of June 5, 1944.
The General continued…
...The tide has turned! The free men of the world are marching together to Victory!
I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty, and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory!
Good luck! And let us all beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Approximately 13,000 aircraft and an armada of nearly 5,000 ships was ready for the invasion off the coast of France. Mine-sweeping ships made their journey in the wee hours of the morning of June 6th in an attempt to clear the waters near the beaches of explosive mines...in an attempt to make the invasion safer and more successful for the troops to come.
That night, Bo was unable to sleep, so he penned a letter to Nora…
June 5, 1944
My Dear Nora,
I should be sleeping, but I am writing you instead. I just finished reading your letters again. I have read them over and over since receiving them last night...thank you for adding the scent of your perfume. It made me feel close to you. Wish I was there holding you and breathing in the scent of you right now. I miss you so much, Red.
Tonight General Eisenhower gave the orders. Tomorrow is the big day. In fact, in just a few hours, we will be leaving port and crossing to our destination. Sal and I are assigned the same ship. Mick is assigned a different one.
I think we all face tomorrow with mixed feelings...ready to do our duty, but also feeling some anxiety. I'm ready to get the job done so that I can come home to you.
Did I tell you that I miss you? I do...so much. Every moment that they don't keep me occupied I think of you. Wish they would give me more free moments so that I could just dream about you all day long.
Tell Selma that I miss her leftovers, and tell Rita I miss her pasta. I even miss your eggs, honey. Guess that tells you a little bit about the food they serve here. Sal keeps wishing he could slip into the kitchen and teach the cooks a thing or two...he hasn't had any luck yet.
Did I tell you I miss you? I feel like I'm repeating myself. Guess I'm getting tired. But I do miss you so much. I've been thinking about how beautiful you look in that pale blue silk nightgown you wear...the soft one with the wispy top. Is 'wispy' a real word? I don't know...but you know what I mean. And then there's the corset...guess I'd better not think too much about that one...
The moon is shining brightly tonight. When I look at it, I think of you. It makes me feel closer to you knowing that the same moon shines on us both...just at different times.
I'm saying goodnight now, my love. You'll be hearing big news in the next day or so about our progress here. Don't worry. I'll be fine.
And remember that I love you more than anything...always.
Forever yours, Bo
* * * * * * *
At dawn, Bo and Sal found themselves aboard one of these ships ready to disembark onto the beaches of Normandy where their courage and skills would be tested. They were toward the back of the ship behind many other soldiers.
“Mi Amico,” Sal said getting Bo’s attention.
Bo turned to see Sal holding out his hand. Behind these many other helmet-clad soldiers, they quickly, but seriously, did their handshake. When they were given the order to leave the ship, they followed the rest of their comrades through the icy cold waters off the French coast.
For some, this would be the last day they walked the sands of this earth. Others would find that their lives would be forever changed on this day…June 6th, 1944. D-Day...