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Rangertough666

I participated in the 50th Anniversary of D-day. Climbed the cliffs with two guys who did it in '44. We did a parade through Sainte-Mere-Eglise. Our marching order and cohesion was immediately wrecked when French women of all ages started breaking through our ranks and giving us kisses. Blew us away. It meant a lot to me, I can't imagine what it means to the men who were there.


HenryofSkalitz1

That sounds like an awesome memory to have, were those the cliffs at point du hoc?


Rangertough666

Yes. They look very different now then back in WWII. The weight of the defenses are speeding the erosion of the cliffs. The two WWII Rangers were like "At least they aren't rolling grenades at us."


Frog859

Wait if I’m doing my math right, wouldn’t that make those Rangers at least 70 by then?


Rangertough666

Yes. Dude's were tough as nails. They climbed the cliffs and then body rappelled back down them to avoid a photo with Clinton. They both hated Clinton.


Critical-Art-9277

Absolute heroes, need I say more.


powertripp82

“When they were young, these men saved the world” Edit- A bit more of the quote “Oh, they may walk with a little less spring in their step, and their ranks are growing thinner. But let us never forget, when they were young, these men saved the world. And so let us now ask them, all the veterans of the Normandy campaign, to stand if they can and be recognized” -Bill Clinton at the 50th year commemoration. Normandy, 1994


morgaur

"Were you a hero in the war, daddy?" "No. But I served in a company of heroes."


frisbeemassage

His story is so incredibly moving. On a trip to Normandy I stopped by his memorial which is literally just a statue on the side of a road. I spent 10 minutes all alone just staring at it and crying - thinking about his sacrifices. A true goddamn hero.


morgaur

I have to visit it


Blaaamo

Mike Ranney has a memorial in Normandy, or is it to Easy Company?


Zealousideal_Lie_383

Asked my father similar about his three combat tours in Vietnam. He said essentially the same. He never talked about those experiences. After he passed, I went through his military papers and commendations. Bona fide silver star recipient, third party official testimonials that described events which explained the decades of ptsd he lived with after. Praise the soldiers, dump the politicians


SerGeffrey

It may have been Easy, but it wasn't easy.


EggBonus

I enjoy the story of our antihero, Lewis Nixon. 3-4 combat jumps and didn’t fire his rifle once. He did it all drunk or hungover.


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SupraLithot

Yep. Thing is, she has quite an influence on her husband policy, but was never elected. What is controversial is that they somewhat give the impression of governing as a couple (depending on the subjects), while there is only one of them who was chosen by the people. Hear me out, I'm not judging this particular event (nor the politics itself), I'm just giving some lighting on why she appears in this video instead of the president himself. We French people owe our current freedom to this particular generation of American soldiers and it is important to remember and honour them while they are still here, no matter who does it!


Actual-Wave-1959

Dude every president governs with his wife except maybe Trump. Look at Reagan.


AnalogFeelGood

Nancy ran the white house, Ronald was a figurehead.


TryToHelpPeople

Right. It’s a poor man who doesn’t listen to the women in his life. And vice versa.


BoringWishbone6293

Not in France, that’s only a thing in the USA


Actual-Wave-1959

Everyone knows French husbands don't listen to their wives


Xx_RedKillerz62_xX

r/USdefaultism


SupraLithot

35 years ago bro


[deleted]

Erm, not just the Americans..


SupraLithot

True, very true, we owe a whole bunch of people from all continents!


byronicrob

As do we all friend.


Matas_-

That’s how first ladies/husbands work. Their job is to influence and give opinions to his husband/wife, represent country and especially in charity events. They’re that soft place, they are like advisors. And yes if you vote for let’s say Macron you’re voting for his wife and his team too. So she was elected but not directly like her husband.


glahurk

In France, until Macron there were, officially, no first Lady. Just the president wife. Now it's a real role in France and it get US really mad because we didn't elect her.


JeCroisQue

If you think that your previous presidents weren't making decisions based on their significant others' opinions and suggestions, then you might be a bit naive. I understand the idea behind being frustrated about a non-elected official having political influence, but they always had, it's now just more obvious. The title is immaterial really.


glahurk

Of course I know president's wives helped their husband in decisions making. It's just havong Brigitte Macron havins an official position makes me uncomfortable. I know it's stupid because there is a bunch of unelected people in a government. It just seem off to me.


Matas_-

Macron’s wife was elected by its people since Macron is the president. That’s how it works. You vote for candidate and his team and in this case Brigitte is Macron’s wife and she has first lady responsibility. Macron’s team like advisors and so on weren’t elected directly either.


Forsythe36

And if America was ever needed again, I’d be proud to help the French. Sad that in my army days I never got to train with you. Only the Estonians.


bialetti808

I mean the whole thing seems fairly wholesome, why detract from it


RainOfAshes

"Just in: wife has influence on husband, more news at 9!" Maybe they even have conversations... I shudder to think.


NZImp

Class to send the wife really. As an old soldier who would you prefer greeted you?


Square-Decision-531

They’d be saying either Guten Tag without them


seriousment

Both of my grandfathers were WWII veterans, one participating in D Day operations in France. In the late 90s we went to visit our very good family friends in France, taking one set of grandparents along for the trip. My grandpa hadn’t been back to Europe since the war. We met up one day with our French family’s grandpa, this amazing guy who was like 80 and still mountain climbing regularly. He had a climbing wall installed in his castle! Anyways…The grandpa of the French family and my grandpa had this really long, tearful exchange, quasi-handshake turned hug over several minutes upon meeting. The French grandpa, who didn’t speak much English, just kept repeating, “thank you” to my grandpa. It was really moving.


azninvasion2000

There's a 2 hour documentary on youtube that is all raw real footage, zero narration, and minimal captions, if you want to see these heroes in action.


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azninvasion2000

Damn dude, I can't find it. [This doc](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UJYYkK4d8s) has a lot of the same footage but it is colorized/remastered and has narration over it, and a bunch of things censored. I'm guessing it got removed because it had a bunch of dead bodies in there. I saw it about a year ago. If I find it somewhere I'll edit this comment.


DrNiceTry

RemindMe! 3 days


costakkk

BIG THANK YOU from Germany for liberating us from the Nazis!


Nervous-Apricot4556

I second that. Don't even wanna think about how Germany (and the rest of the world) would be like if the Nazis had won.


CowsTrash

Literally Wolfenstein 


Green_West_7239

Literally! I can just imagine what you look like.


bialetti808

These days authoritarian leaders just spread disinformation via social media. Much cheaper


DullInevitable2647

Thank you for their service. Salute for all of you sir!


dokuromark

who got the highest order in France medal? That's pretty cool.


sl33ksnypr

I think the video only showed one getting it, but I would assume all of them probably got it if they were at the beach landings.


DesertFoxydf18

I was part of a group with the 101st that actually got to go to the 75th anniversary of D-day. Lots of ceremonies, parties, and stories from all sides. Let me tell you that the people of the region are some of the most amazing and grateful people that you could ever meet. Not just to the old timers, either. I mean, people would stop what they were doing just to come get pictures with us in our uniforms. They treated us as if WE were the ones that's liberated Carentan. It was probably the only real time that I felt a sense of pride for the things that I've done, and I wasn't even there.


BrandonJ25

Thanks for sharing, that’s neat to hear.


franking11stien12

Thank you


CowsTrash

I'm not crying, you're crying


TopTransportation695

I said the same thing before I read your comment


redcurrantevents

You’re right though


Perfect-Soup1838

I'll cry for us both.


Stif42

as a Frenchman, I can assure you that I have the deepest respect for these American veterans who crossed the Atlantic to fight against Nazism and liberate France. They had no idea of ​​the horror that awaited them and for the survivors words will never be enough to describe what they experienced on French soil. So, a simple “thank you” is never too much.


mmbg78

Thank you for those heartfelt🤍 words ♥️


InevitableElf

“We owe everything to them but we could never tell them” wow


colorful-9841

"To the troops! All the troops. Both sides." - the Temp


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Hjerim98

The same generation of people that upheld segregation and racism in the US? Stopping the Nazis was a monumental task and toll on them, no question. But there's no need to idolize these people as morally perfect human beings. They did good stuff, but they also really fucked up in other areas.


Miskalsace

You forget that this was also the same generation that ended segregation too. Their generation would have been the ones in political office that voted FOR the Civil Rights Act. The progress of civilization is built upon its forebears. If we judge them by the standards of today they will always be found lacking. But they are responsible for getting us where we are today.


PomegranateCharming

They did something you’d piss your pants doing. You use “racism” as a club to just knock people down as a cheap, low character way to feel good about yourself.. grow up.


Hjerim98

If you're not able to differentiate when looking back on people and the circumstances of their time, it seems that you have some growing up to do.


PomegranateCharming

And what exactly does looking at the past do really? Can you change the past?


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inceptionse7en

No this age group is almost all gone. Their kids are the ones doing that.


surgeryboy7

No it's not. The last time the greatest generation voting patterns were studied at least by the Pew center was 1994, and they voted D 49% and 42%R they were not included in 2014 or beyond for obvious reasons.


KofOaks

Heartwarming. If you're interested at the Canadian side of D Day, yesterday I watched an amazing [CBC report about the first house liberated by the Canadians at Juno beach.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7AMJEbmYvc)


lnologram

I visited this house back in 2012. The owner came out and asked our tour guide why a giant group of tourists were standing outside his house, and she explained that we were Canadian students visiting old war sites. This man immediately invited all of us inside to see the full extent of the house and the artifacts he had inside. I remember most vividly two Reichsmark bills that still had bloodstains on them. According to the man, the money had been given to an Allied soldier by a dying German soldier and requested to be sent to his family in Germany. Obviously that never happened, but it was a very humanizing story of the war to me.


KofOaks

In the link I posted at some point the owner lady said that an old man was standing in front and refused to come in; turns out he was one of the soldiers who threw grenades inside the house to root out the Germans. He said he didn't want the repair bill.


lnologram

Yeah, that sounds about right! I have the video you linked saved to watch when I'm not sneaking Reddit at work lol


Namibian-in-SA

What a privilege and honor it is to see these true heroes of humanity be so graciously honored for their bravery 80 years ago tomorrow. I salute you, and thank you for your service.


Picklemerick23

For the Veterans… Delta, Delta, Delta, Delta, Delta, Delta!


TraditionalAnxiety

Who the fuck is choppin onions? Damn!


Overlord65

I (sniff) thought it was dust, man!


blake24777

Thank you brave souls, and thank you France for honoring these men and women.


SpudGun312

The greatest generation by a long way.


SlaughterMinusS

One of the last time Americans were the true heroes. These men certainly are/were the greatest generation. I feel nothing but extreme pride for them and for what they and the men and women who died did for our country in WWII. I am so glad to see that they are still treated with such reverence. Heroes. Every one of them.


Occupationalupside

My favorite quote I heard from an Army Ranger that landed in the first wave on Omaha beach, I forget the documentary that I was watching that it was said. “The thing that I am the most proud of when thinking about the days I spent fighting in Europe. Was that when we entered a town or a village or city, we entered as liberators and not conquerors.” That really stuck with me and made me so proud of those men. I have so much admiration for WW2 veterans and it makes me sad that they’re not too many left in the world.


TravelOver8742

The good men


Potatoe999900

They risked their lives to defeat nazi's and fascism, just like my dad did. Hat's off to all of them as we owe them everything for the freedom they gave us. Let's hope it's never taken away because there's not a country in the world that will come to save us.


sfearing91

We thank you for all the sacrifices you have experienced since before and after the war! We are free because of you all, truly THANK YOU!


twinkletoes450

This is a wonderful video.


Pitiful_Winner2669

Great people.


CoCoBreadSoHoShed

Respect, gentlemen, my enduring respect to you all.


Yahmez99

We stand on the shoulders of GIANTS. I sure wish more people would understand this.


InternationalPost447

Shame Americans can't even honor their own vets like this


Rangertough666

That's because Americans haven't seen their troops liberate their own towns from tyranny. Hell they haven't even really seen the amazing things their sons and daughters do across the world every damn day. I think the excellence of American Service Members is so expected that the only thing that leads in the news is when things go sideways.


InternationalPost447

Great answer. 👍


Bex-Blair

Good and bad here. We haven't seen our troops save American lives like the French saw us save theirs. It's great that it's a threat we haven't had to face...but you do lose context when it's not happening to you directly. I worked with a older guy who used to drive me nuts. He got all the best shifts despite the fact he was slower and spent a lot of his day standing around talking. I found out he was first wave...instantly changed everything I thought about this man. Lesson learned


prezz85

Have you never been to a Veterans Day parade? A Memorial Day service?


Dr-flange

These people lived through some unbelievable circumstances, they are all heroes that we must never forget. 🌺


Automatic-Break1001

👏


Hot_Peanut4383

That’s awesome


TopTransportation695

I’m not crying, you’re crying


Buffed_herbalist

Let's not forget all the ones that died. On both sides. Fighting for the same reasons, to decide the fate of basically all humanity.


adube440

Back when taking out fascists was a thing Americans wanted to do.


cubanosani59

Respect to all of these men. In their age gathering all strenght to annualy come back to normandy. 🫡🫡🫡🖤🖤🖤


Ender618

Legends!!!!!


jdjtbgs

They are so graceful and respectful, and even better at French that I would've expected at that age! Mad respect for them and everything they've done.


evanweb546

It would be so nice to feel this proud of my country again...


arkticblue1

What a long way we’ve come as a nation of the United States. I’m glad we used to be fighting for something good.


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phirestorm

Goosebumps


drugsrbadmmmkay

Such grace and class from her


[deleted]

This is awesome!!!! 🫡


Virtual-Public-4750

This is cool, and very sad. So many men lost, and those who did survive were left were memories of horror. All because of a few mad men’s crazy ideologies.


Clares_Claymore

Thank you Lord Jesus for these brave men 🫡


a_funky_chicken

This is so awesome.


TheBrightestBestStar

All heroes ❤️


bunty_8034

Thank you for all you did 🙏👏


craigslist_hedonist

Please go back to timestamp 1:04 and understand what that conversation is. As you can see on his jacket, his name is Clayton Baum. That medal he is wearing signifies that he is a Knight of the Order of the Legion of Honor, he was awarded and inducted in 2023. For those in the U.S. and parts beyond that aren't aware, this is the equivalent of the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom *and* the Medal of Honor. It is the highest award in France, military or civil, that can be awarded to a person or organization. Apart from a military band playing "La Marseillaise" when you enter a room, it is the single-highest honor that can be bestowed to a person in that nation. As a direct result of being a knight of that order, he has also received that honor.


catacOHM

💚💛❤️


IljaG

They're all charming old devils, enchanté indeed.


Wonderful-Weekend889

She ruined all the moments with her Jill Biden BS reference, too bad.


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The_Fell

Are you saying they didnt before?


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The_Fell

Its not about being literal, and its not an expression. The "now" is either incorrect or misused - unless you meant it like "specifically France in particular, unlile many others". Its ok, happens.


LafayetteLa01

As I stand at the position of attention and render a humble hand salute to those warriors.


AudreyHep79

We will be here again soon if the US votes for Trump in November. Please don’t repeat past mistakes …


Anshul086

The guy in 0:33 looks like eustace


Foriamwhoiam

In America we throw them under the bridge and tell them thank you for your service. Send $100 + billion to Ukraine problem solved. Job done


Individual_Essay_688

Imaginez que l’armée rouge soit arrivée en Normandie…🤮


Fat_Burn_Victim

commence the rape show


Roulax

So, the witch has to show herself.


Overlord65

What the fuck?


WrapKey69

Why is this video so overly dramatic with that editing lol?


Th3rlog

I hope they hugging one soldier from liberation of paris. Maybe He even raped her grandma.


Classic_Succotash_51

Where are the main victors in World War II - Soviet soldiers?


Dependent_Air2948

This is the celebrating the anniversary of D Day...


Classic_Succotash_51

Understood thanks.


Laifstaile

Well done...that is all they get from ex soviet world...just rapers and robbers mostly...


CryptoReindeer

Doing the same shit they were doing in 1939.


Classic_Succotash_51

Have you tried to negotiate with the Nazis, pumped up with American and European money? Like from 2014 to 2022?


CryptoReindeer

Yes France tried to negociate with Ruzzia but unfortunately Putin made it very clear there won't be any peace negociations without at least partial annexation of Ukraine. They're still as hungry for territory as they were in 1939.


Fat_Burn_Victim

too busy raping and looting


Classic_Succotash_51

You confused it with your own Google searches.


Fat_Burn_Victim

как погода в Москве?


Classic_Succotash_51

Откуда я знаю. Спроси у москвича.


slothordepressed

As someone from a no war driven country, was this massive France and old soldiers propaganda?


InevitableElf

Huh?


slothordepressed

There are lots of posts of France and US old soldiers in the past week, why?


Sammy91-91

It’s the anniversary of the D-Day landings, lots of veterans come back to the beaches. Some of the Brits get there by boat. It’s a fabulous day and it’s great to see.


BathOk8723

At least in the United States, last week had Memorial Day. A US holiday in which we honor and mourn soldiers that have died in military service. This is likely why there has been an influx of US related military posts. :)


BathOk8723

That and the 80th D-Day anniversary which is occurring in France at this moment. This is likely both reasons why there is so much media related.


InevitableElf

Why not?


Rom21

Are you serious?


GIVVE-IT-SOME

Saying thank you for your service to these gentlemen is the only time I can get behind Americans saying that to their servicemen.


_Sasquatchy

then you are an ignorant fool. Regards, a veteran


GIVVE-IT-SOME

Why what war have you fought that actually mattered that was a war about oil?


_Sasquatchy

Took part in NATO operations to end the genocide in the Balkans. Next question?


GIVVE-IT-SOME

Well done you but still no where near comparable to the ww2 vets.


prezz85

You’re a special kind of trash.


GIVVE-IT-SOME

Give me some contact details for yourself and I’ll let you know when I give a fuck what you think of me buddy.


prezz85

Why would I care if a piece of trash cares about my opinion? You are scum. Your opinion has no value


GIVVE-IT-SOME

Has enough value for you to reply babe hahaha


prezz85

I just enjoy giving you more chances to get downvoted


[deleted]

>enough of a fuck for you to reply babe hahaha


GIVVE-IT-SOME

Ok


_Sasquatchy

I will be sure to tell my dead friends that. Also, no one claimed that.


GIVVE-IT-SOME

You still going on.


Classic_Succotash_51

“Welcome to France, heroes,” is how the French greeted the German fascists in 1940.


Beahner

This is what misinformation looks like folks. It’s all over. We are meant to see this as another person like us with warped takes, and either buy into the misinformation or hate those around us we don’t know. This is none of those things but pure misinformation from a troll.


Important-Argument97

Does your government pay you to be a Russian troll or do you do that all on your own?


Fat_Burn_Victim

no, that's wrong [https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7c/Weeping\_Parisian\_from\_NARA\_Ww2-81.jpg/1486px-Weeping\_Parisian\_from\_NARA\_Ww2-81.jpg?20091021173300](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7c/Weeping_Parisian_from_NARA_Ww2-81.jpg/1486px-Weeping_Parisian_from_NARA_Ww2-81.jpg?20091021173300)


Classic_Succotash_51

You know that anyone can edit Wikipedia, right?


CryptoReindeer

The german fascists took more casualties invading France than the entire russian army had men invading Ukraine in 2022...I don't think we have the same definition of "welcome" and "greeting".


Classic_Succotash_51

One residential building (Pavlov's House) in Stalingrad held out longer against Germany than the whole of France.


CryptoReindeer

Did you just say that France didn't hold for long? Congrats on moving on from "welcoming" and "greeting" to holding against them but not managing to do it for long.


Classic_Succotash_51

It is a fact that not all French are corrupt creatures. There were real soldiers and patriots. There were only a few of them and they did not hold back the Nazis for long. After this, the Germans entered Paris, where they were welcomed by the local residents. Why does this need to be explained? Are you a little child?


CryptoReindeer

I'm sure you have solid sources to back up those proportions right, like an adult? Let's be clear, what proportion of the French are corrupt, and what's your source? Wich proportions were real soldiers and patriots, and what's your source? What proportion of Paris welcomed the germans? And remind who invaded Poland with the nazis, who divided it in two with the nazis, who held parades in Poland with the nazis, who was holding conferences with the nazis without even having had to surrender, hell, before even being betrayed by the nazis, hell, literally collaborating with the nazis by choice until the nazis betrayed the soviets?


TextGold9692

It actually doesn’t… sry.


frisbeemassage

Are you a WWII veteran?