D-Day Anniversary

Today is the 79th anniversary of the D-Day landing in Normandy.  

 

"On June 6, 1944, more than 160,000 Allied troops landed along a 50-mile stretch of heavily-fortified French coastline, to fight Nazi Germany on the beaches of Normandy, France. Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower called the operation a crusade in which, “we will accept nothing less than full victory.” More than 5,000 Ships and 13,000 aircraft supported the D-Day invasion, and by day’s end, the Allies gained a foot-hold in Continental Europe. The cost in lives on D-Day was high. More than 9,000 Allied Soldiers were killed or wounded, but their sacrifice allowed more than 100,000 Soldiers to begin the slow, hard slog across Europe, to defeat Adolf Hitler’s crack troops." (source)

 

We spent June 1st through June 3rd in the Normandy region.  We had a full day tour on June 2nd that included both Utah and Omaha beaches along with the American Cemetery. It was a cold, cloudy day and the wind had a bite to it.  Over and over I kept thinking about how it was a day much like that when those thousands of troops landed.  

 

 

There was nothing pleasant about that day, but they bravely moved in.  Parachuting, coming out of glider planes and Higgins boats.  Many were killed before they reached the shore. No sane person thinks starting a war is a good idea, but brave soldiers agree that finishing a war is the objective.  

 

 

One of our final stops last Thursday was the American cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, it contains the graves of 9,386 of our military dead, most of whom lost their lives in the D-Day landings and ensuing operations.  Crosses, all facing towards America, are lined as far as the eye can see.  Les and I read some of the names and saw many that were only 18 or 19 years old. 

 

This video was taken at 5:00 p.m. when the American flag was taken down for the evening, with the haunting tones of "Taps" being played in the background.

I'll have lots more to say about this when I start writing about those days, but I couldn't let the anniversary of D-Day come without saying how thankful I am for our soldiers, both past and present.

30 Days of Thanks, Day 11: Veterans

I'm changing my word for today.  The prompt was tallest, but I want to give thanks for our Veterans.

It is the VETERAN, 

not the preacher, 

who has given us freedom of religion. 

 

It is the VETERAN, 

not the reporter, 

who has given us freedom of the press.

 

It is the VETERAN, 

not the poet, 

who has given us freedom of speech.

  It is the VETERAN, 

not the campus organizer, 

who has given us freedom to assemble.

  It is the VETERAN, 

not the lawyer, 

who has given us the right to a fair trial. 

 

It is the VETERAN, 

not the politician, 

Who has given us the right to vote. 

 

It is the VETERAN who salutes the Flag. 

 

It is the VETERAN who serves under the Flag.

 

 

Pictured above are my Great Uncle Lewis Ganaway who served in WW II, my uncle Ron Fultz who served during peace time, and my father-in-law Bill McElhaney who also served during peace time. 

 

I'm thankful to them and all soldiers who have served and continue to serve for our freedom.

Veterans Day

We have many American holidays and often given thanks to our service men and women on them.  But Veterans Day is the day that was set aside nearly 100 years go to officially honor America's veterans.  The important purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.
 

My great uncle, Lewis Gannaway, who served in the Philippines in WW II

In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…"

My father-in-law, Bill McElhaney, still able to fit into his Navy blues!

The original concept for the celebration was for a day observed with parades and public meetings and a brief suspension of business beginning at 11:00 a.m.

My great uncle, Euel Gannaway, who served in Germany during WW II

The United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I when it passed a concurrent resolution on June 4, 1926, with these words:

Whereas the 11th of November 1918, marked the cessation of the most destructive, sanguinary, and far reaching war in human annals and the resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations with other nations, which we hope may never again be severed, and
Whereas it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations; and
Whereas the legislatures of twenty-seven of our States have already declared November 11 to be a legal holiday: Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), that the President of the United States is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on November 11 and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples.

My uncle, Ron Fultz

An Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) approved May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday—a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as "Armistice Day." Armistice Day was primarily a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I, but in 1954, after World War II had required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen in the Nation’s history; after American forces had fought aggression in Korea, the 83rd Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting in its place the word "Veterans." With the approval of this legislation (Public Law 380) on June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

I honor all those men and women who have served and those who are serving today.  Thank you for your service!

Veteran's Day

Last night at New Life Pentecostal we honored our veterans and those who are currently serving in the military.  There are nine military bases on the island of Oahu, and we are blessed to have quite a few active members as part of our congregation.

Bro. Dennis (not pictured) served 3 1/2 years and was in Vietnam
Left to right:

Bro. Mora currently serving, 4 years

Bro. Justin currently serving, 8 years

Bro. Richard currently serving, 18 months

Bro. Todd currently serving, 25 years 

Bro. Gallimore currently serving, 25 years
Bro. Josh currently serving, 5 years

Bro. Tony (in the back with the microphone) served 4 years, currently in the reserve, 3 1/2 years

Pastor McGriffin would have been in that line as well, but he is currently in the Philippines.  He was just a young man when he joined the service and it was while he was in the military that God saved him.  I'm thankful for Pastor McGriffin's burden, love and understanding of those who serve.

God bless our men and women in uniform!  And God bless those who have served in the past!

November 11th ~ Night (Thanks a Day)

I'm breaking away from today's word - night - to give thanks for our veterans.  The final mile of yesterday's marathon was the Veteran's Memorial Mile.  It was lined with flags.  There were three Wounded Warriors competing who all finished faster than me.  They don't give up, on the race course or on the battle field.

Thank you, veterans!

Veteran's Day

As I've mentioned before, we have a very large genealogy book that traces my paternal grandmother's side ~ the Gannaway family. Every time I'm in Fresno I pick it up and flip through the pages.


Our family has been in America since the early 1700s. We have had soldiers in the American Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Civil War, World War I, and World War II. There were many that gave their lives for our country, for freedom. I salute each one today.

30 Days of Thanks - Day #11

Happy Veteran's Day!

I am so thankful for the men and women in the military who have served and continue to serve our country. Peace comes at a price and our veterans know that price better than anyone else.

My great uncle, Lewis Gannaway.


My father-in-law, Bill McElhaney


My uncle, Ron Fultz


These men all served and our families were blessed that they came home to us.