'I Call Upon All Who Love Freedom'



"People of Western Europe: A landing was made this morning on the coast of France by troops of the Allied Expeditionary Force. This landing is part of the concerted United Nations' plan for the liberation of Europe, made in conjunction with our great Russian allies ... I call upon all who love freedom to stand with us. Keep your faith staunch. Our arms are resolute. Together we shall achieve victory." -- Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower

Sixteen minutes after midnight, 62 years ago today, the British 6th Airborne Division began taking bridges to the east. The British were followed by American paratroopers. Then the British infantry came ashore on Sword Beach, the Canadians hit Juno, and the Americans at Omaha and Utah.

The Battle of Normandy was under way. The long-awaited cross channel invasion -- the first in almost a thousand years -- had begun. It was D-Day.

June 6, 1944.

God bless those brave men who fought there that day, those who died and those who lived. They are the Greatest Generation.