Friday, June 6 is the 70th Anniversary of D-Day

70 years ago, thousands of young men packed into airplanes, gliders, landing crafts, tanks, and gun turrets in preparation for the largest amphibious assault in the history of man. Many would die before even touching dry land again.

It's hard to imagine, but take a few moments today and tomorrow to think of all of these young men and what they risked. Think about the 18 to 23 year-olds that we talk about on a near-daily basis. 70 years ago, they wouldn't have been signing with and training for universities' football teams. They would have volunteered for or been drafted by the military and been training for their part in the assault.

I, for one, am invariably humbled and awed when I think of what was accomplished by these men (and women who worked behind the scenes in Britain or undercover in France).

It's been a long time since it happened, but watching the veterans that revisit the Normandy coast, it's obvious that it's never been too far away for them.

I'll leave you with the account of a Hokie that made us all proud that day, 1LT Jimmie W. Monteith, Jr., Medal of Honor Recipient:

MONTEITH, JIMMIE W., JR.

Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, 16th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division
Place and date: Near Colleville-sur-Mer, France, 6 June 1944

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty on 6 June 1944, near Colleville-sur-Mer, France. 1st Lt. Monteith landed with the initial assault waves on the coast of France under heavy enemy fire. Without regard to his own personal safety he continually moved up and down the beach reorganizing men for further assault. He then led the assault over a narrow protective ledge and across the flat, exposed terrain to the comparative safety of a cliff. Retracing his steps across the field to the beach, he moved over to where 2 tanks were buttoned up and blind under violent enemy artillery and machinegun fire.
Completely exposed to the intense fire, 1st Lt. Monteith led the tanks on foot through a minefield and into firing positions. Under his direction several enemy positions were destroyed. He then rejoined his company and under his leadership his men captured an advantageous position on the hill. Supervising the defense of his newly won position against repeated vicious counterattacks, he continued to ignore his own personal safety, repeatedly crossing the 200 or 300 yards of open terrain under heavy fire to strengthen links in his defensive chain.
When the enemy succeeded in completely surrounding 1st Lt. Monteith and his unit and while leading the fight out of the situation, 1st Lt. Monteith was killed by enemy fire. The courage, gallantry, and intrepid leadership displayed by 1st Lt. Monteith is worthy of emulation.

Citation from www.cmohs.org
Picture from blog.usamm.com