On June 6, 1944, the Allied Forces of Britain, the United States, Canada and France attacked German forces on the coast of Normandy with over 150,000 soldiers. That attack and, eventually, victory became the turning point of World War II and is called D-Day, or the Invasion of Normandy.  

This Friday, we celebrate the 70th anniversary of that invasion and are reminded of all that took place on that historic day.  

Every year, thousands of people visit the sight and view the thousands of crosses that mark the graves of the men who paid the ultimate price. A few years ago, my daughter, Ronny, visited the site and said it was sobering, moving and hard to imagine all that happened on that day.  

The D-Day invasion had been planned for months and was almost cancelled because of bad weather.  The architect of the planned attack was General Dwight D. Eisenhower, best known for being the supreme commander of the Allied Forces during the war.  He made the decision in spite of the weather to proceed as planned.

With over 5,000 ships and landing craft and 11,000 planes ready to execute the planned invasion, word was given to attack.  The first wave of attack began with the paratroopers. They jumped at night in the pitch of dark and landed behind enemy lines.  They were to destroy key targets and capture bridges in order for the main invasion to land on the beach.  

General Eisenhower addressed a group of paratroopers the night before and that picture is displayed in the D-Day Museum in New Orleans. One of the seven men he shared with is O’Neil Boe, who is 93 years old and lives in Reserve.  Mr. Boe told me that the General, with tears in his eyes, said, “Most of you will never return home.  May God bless you.”  

After the war, the General retired.  In 1952, he was urged to run for President and was elected. He served two terms from 1953 to 1961.  During these years, America experienced economic prosperity and relative peace. Upon leaving office, he asked to be reinstated in the Army.  

Prior to his death, he requested to be buried in an $80 Army casket in full Army uniform with only three of the many battle ribbons he had won. The three he chose were those he received for his involvement in the D-Day invasion. His reasoning was that 500 years from now, nobody will remember him as President, but everybody will still be celebrating our victory in Normandy.

This week, during the 70th anniversary, Boe, who was one of the paratroopers who jumped during the attack, will again repeat his feat.

Is it any wonder why that generation is known as “the greatest generation?”

If you have any questions or comments, please write to Get High on Life, P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA 70084, call 985-652-8477, or email hkeller@comcast.net.