The invasion news reached me at 8:20 yesterday morning and my ear was glued to the radio for hours listening to details of what our boys were doing. I have been fearful of the results of trying to land on the French coast.All through the day, along the streets, in the barber shops, the stores, anywhere you went in Hazard, the only subject was - invasion.
Thousands of boys had tumbled from airplanes into enemy territory, loaded with dynamite, grenades, tommy guns, knives, and everything else necessary to fight at close quarters. Other thousands were wading into the fire of German coastal guns, getting their feet planted on enemy soil at great cost in lives.
Relatives of men known to be in England went about their duties through the day in sadness, praying for the welfare of their sons.
When night came most of us heard ministers gather in front of the Perry County Court House and praying earnestly for the welfare of our soldiers, while the crowd stood in silence.
We came home to listen to President Roosevelt lead a hundred and thirty million people in prayer, pleading with Almighty God to be with our boys in time of great trouble. "They will be sore, tired, by night and by day, without rest until the victory is won. The darkness will be rent with noise and flame," he said.
"Some will never return. Embrace these, Father, and receive them, Thy heroic servants, into Thy Kingdom. And for us at home - fathers, mothers, children, wives, sisters, and brothers of brave men overseas, whose thoughts and prayers are ever with them, help us, Almighty God, to rededicate ourselves in renewed faith in Thee in this hour of great sacrifice," he prayed.
The President continued, "Give us strength, too - strength in our daily tasks, to redouble the contributions we make in the physical and the material support of our armed forces."
A reporter related the sad scene of a boat bringing the dead and wounded back to the shores of England. Our fellow Americans who went out there to fight - that we may live and have peace. 1944
I remember what a great President FDR was and how much the American People loved him. It amazes me that some politicians are still trying to ruin his reputation as a leader and a humanitarian. He was a pillar of strength through the depression and WWII. No one else in the World could have done a better job. I guess you had to be there.
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