My dad was also at the battle of Normandy as well as The Bulge. He would never speak of what he witnessed during the war. He said it would stir up too many horrible memories. My dad passed at the age of 92.
My father was also at Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge. He also would never speak of his experiences and he carried the mental scars until his dying day! They truly were the Greatest Generation! They witnessed the depth to which humanity can sink and also the shining heights the human spirit can aspire to. Rest in Peace 🙏🙏🙏
My Dad never talked about the combat he was in. My uncle was so devastated by it that he never married and mostly kept to himself and had a small apartment attached to my aunt’s family home. He went to work and came home to his small solitary apartment to be alone.
What a great and moving tribute to not only Charlie but to all the Veterans of WW2. Over 40 million people around the world died in WW2. From the battles, to the death camps, to the people who were taken from their homes and shot. We must never forget what happened. That way, we can try to make sure it will never happen again. Thank you Charlie and all who served and continue to serve today. Freedom is not free, it must be fought for and defended.
My Father made it home in one piece. Uncle Deke was killed 6 March 1945 in the Philippines. Uncle Bill lost an arm in Europe; but made it home. America was blessed to have such men and their buddies! RIP Dad, Uncle Deke and Uncle Bill.
From the son of World War II vet who fought in the Philippines, God Bless the Greatest Generation this country has ever seen! We will be eternally grateful for their sacrifices!
My dad and I would sit up late at night and watch TV, He would drink beer and talk about his experiences as a sailor in the Pacific. I have those stories. I will make them a part of my auto biography.
I adored Charles Durning. My Father admired him too. My Father was a WWII Army Veteran and his service was something we never spoke of. He never told us he wouldn't discuss it, not ever. It was just a quiet understanding we all seemed to share. God Bless those who serve.
my father and my step father both served and I am thankful for the services they did and to anyone who is active or retired THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU FOR YOUR SERVICES
Joe Mantegna, thank you for MC'ing this presentation. You're right up there with Gary Sinise in my book for your acknowledgement of all that our veterans have sacrificed for this country ...
I hold so much respect for those that pit themselves in harms way to protect our way of life or help those that are struggling to free themselves from tyranny. My father and grandfather were my personal heroes. And so much respect for those in the entertainment field, whatever it may be, that believed that serving their country was an honor and a duty.
I'll bet you Donald Trump was one of the ones that gave a thumbs down because he's the one that called those soldiers that gave up their lives in Normandy
As a child, the WWII generation were my heroes. Too bad so many in my generation who sacrificed as much and watched our comrades die in Vietnam and during other engagements against Communism, do not receive the "worship" bestowed upon those who fought the "good" war. God Bless Charles and ALL who have stepped forward for their country in time of need. And damn those that have stabbed us in the back.
My dad was my Hero and he was a combat medic (DOC) in Vietnam. I now have his flag on my shelf it's my most prized position. Thank you for your service. My most upright respect to you sir.
@@mattpage7423 Your welcome and Thank you for your kind reply. I served the best I could. We were all so young. Stay safe in this crazy world today. God Bless America! Paul.
I think that the respect and honour that the Vietnam vets deserve is gradually coming. It may take enough spine from our governments before it becomes overt, but it's coming. Where I live, our Vietnam vets march with all our others and they are as respectfully applauded as they ought to be!
@@davidtapp3950 Thank you David. I also feel sorry for all the Vets in the "War on Terror". Many were sucked into endless wars that they, also, were not allowed to win. And now we have some of the worse politicians ever who do not care a damn about us. Thank you again for your kind thoughts. Semper Fi!
I read somewhere that Charles Durning had specific stipulations in his movie contracts that he didn’t work, or had time off to attend/participate in Remembrance services like this. He was a great character actor, but I will remember his veteran status/service for his country. RIP!
Rest and Peace, Mr Durning. To all that serve, on this Christmas Day, we think of you and your families. Thank you for your sacrifices. Thank You for your courage. Thank You for your service.
What a blessing to find this video. I spent 25 years of my life in the Army serving in various theaters supporting our combat troops as they made their way into battle. I will never forget them for those soldiers are my hero's
Thank you for being there, wherever you were. You Sir, are one of my HEROES. I give thanks for you and all the other American patriots who served so courageously and sacrificed so much. I am 86 y/o and get goosebumps every time I see our magnificent Stars and Stripes flag and repeat our Pledge of Allegiance. May God keep you until we meet in Heaven. 🇺🇸 Elizabeth
I remember the DAY very well. I was only 6 years old, But I remember how many men, my farther included, gathered in town and formed long lines to join the military, my father tried all branches but was to old at 49 and having served in the first World War. Several of my relatives did join up and some never came back. My father and mother were able to serve as Civil Servants on a look out post on the Washington coast as Air Plain Spotters.
My my father and husband are veterans. My father served in Africa. He was almost killed by a German soldier who managed to drag a knife across his neck. He was evacuated to France where he spent 7 months in a hospital there before being shipped home. He was a broken man. An alcoholic who abused his wife, my mother. He came back but he was ruined. RIP Dad.
My dad was a tail gunner in a B17 over Europe, also came back broken and ruined. He never joined any vets groups. There are support groups for children of war veterans, as we have our own PTSD that is also unaddressed, other than throwing pills at us. God bless you, seek Him for help.
We should always remember our heroes, the men and women who went to the front line and were the bravest of all; braver than any of us who write these notes in their honour.
Men jn suits make decisions and young men die, cut down like wheat beneath the blade. So many sons lost, so many tears shed and yet it still goes on, when will we learn to live in peace. Thank you for posting this video, very very moving.
56, 862 died in Vietnam because "men in suits" who were more worried about their political careers than they were about the lives of those who died. Lyndon Johnson-may his name be erased from the annals of Man.
Pacifist nonsense, @Astorrin. Instead, let’s ask: when will we learn to crush evil when it is still small and weak, instead of waiting until it has grown vast and powerful? We should remember that before pouring out their undoubted valor and sacrifice from 1941 to 1945, most of the Greatest Generation were firmly anti-war - until German troops had reached the suburbs of Moscow and Japanese bombs began falling on Pearl Harbor. To their great credit, they then willingly paid the price of their earlier misjudgment.
@@doverbeachcomberI think it was General Schwarzkopf who stated …(paraphrased) it’s only after men in tall hats fail at their job that men like The general start their task. If you’re honest, you will admit it.
And now, there are many trying to turn these sacrifices for freedom into nothing, a waste of lives. Shameful. Our heroes deserve more. I will always honor those throughout history who fought for our freedoms.
Disgraceful how his career was destroyed by some Jewish people who simply dont do Tongue and cheek,made some comment and his career was destroyed,What a sad country America is.
How do you responded to this... God bless them all.. Oh the song, Tynan also one of the best of his time. Fitting he was ask to preform this powerful song.
WE MUST NEVER LET THIS RECORD FALL BY THE WAYSIDE.....IF WE DON'T REMEMBER WE ARE COMMITTED TO REPEAT THIS HISTORY AT A LATER DATE....DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN
+Ed Greene EVERY YEAR I GET TO VISIT THE EASTERN END OF LONG ISLAND AT AN EDUCATIONAL CENTER RUN BY MY UNION. ON MY RETURN TRIP TO NJ I ALWAYS VISIT THE GRAVE OF MY GRANDFATHER AND HIS DEAR WIFE. MY BABA AND MY NANNA. AS A YOUNG LAD I DISCOVERED A BOOK ABOVE THE OIL BURNER IN OUR HOUSE IN SUNNYSIDE QUEENS. IT REVEALED THE REASON WHY HE NEVER TALKED OF HIS EXPERIENCE IN WORLD WAR 1. THE MOST HORRIBLE PICTURES I HAD EVER SEEN STILL REMAIN WITH ME TO THIS DAY,IM 64 YEARS OF AGE.... I THINK OF ALL THOSE THAT HAVE GIVEN SOME AND THOSE THAT HAVE GIVEN ALL. GOD BLESS AMERICA
+Ed Greene EVERY YEAR I GET TO VISIT THE EASTERN END OF LONG ISLAND AT AN EDUCATIONAL CENTER RUN BY MY UNION. ON MY RETURN TRIP TO NJ I ALWAYS VISIT THE GRAVE OF MY GRANDFATHER AND HIS DEAR WIFE. MY BABA AND MY NANNA. AS A YOUNG LAD I DISCOVERED A BOOK ABOVE THE OIL BURNER IN OUR HOUSE IN SUNNYSIDE QUEENS. IT REVEALED THE REASON WHY HE NEVER TALKED OF HIS EXPERIENCE IN WORLD WAR 1. THE MOST HORRIBLE PICTURES I HAD EVER SEEN STILL REMAIN WITH ME TO THIS DAY,IM 64 YEARS OF AGE.... I THINK OF ALL THOSE THAT HAVE GIVEN SOME AND THOSE THAT HAVE GIVEN ALL. GOD BLESS AMERICA
THANK YOU for sharing this video. Very moving from a member of the Greatest Generation. One of many who served in WWII, one of the many hollywood members who served in WWII who saw it as thier duty, men and woman alike. Who didn't need to boast it, it was a duty and a chapter of thier life. Thank you Mr Durning, Thank you dad and all my uncles who served in WWII.
Let their acts of courage and sacrifice inspire YOU to do YOUR JOB to protect the homeland. STRATEGIZE BEFORE YOU WASTE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY to save what is left of this dying nation. Walk into your local school meetings with more than a speech expressing dissatisfaction regarding CRT and the grooming of your neighbor’s children. Walk in with KNOWLEDGE OF THE LAW AND WITH LAWYERS AT YOUR DISPOSAL READY FOR BATTLE. Walk in with a completed email/ phone network of every parent and taxpayer in your neighborhood ready to fight the good fight. Walk in knowing that you are making yourself WORTHY for Christ to CHOOSE YOU for assignment in His army. THEN, TAKE BACK THAT TERRITORY. Any sacrifice you may have to make, losing a job, mortgaging your house, severing ties with people you once called your friends, whatever it is, is nothing compared to the sacrifices your grandfathers made. If YOU have not given the enemies of Christ a reason to hate and fear you then YOU are not worthy to go on pretending that you walk with Him. An authentic Christian walks into battle with Christ. Got it? You walk with Him. He does not walk with you. If you choose the low path you part ways. Period. A false Christian sitting in a false church prays for bodies on the ground to come and save him or her. A false, narcissistic Christian sitting in a false church expects Christ to “do it all” for him or her. Meanwhile, an authentic Christian IS the body on the ground, always reliable, always sacrificial to the cause. If you want to be grafted in then DO YOUR JOB. NO EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY WITHOUT EQUALITY OF BURDEN!
Charles Durning was born and raised in Highland Falls, New York -- that's the small village just outside the main gate of the US Military Academy at West Point. One of his nieces married a West Point graduate, who was killed in Vietnam.
His friends died for their friends, which is not for nothing. "Greater love has no man than this, that one lay down his life for his friends".-John 15:13
I could hardly hear him singing I was crying so hard. My daddy was a radio operator in the Philippines from before MacArthur left to when he came back and the fighting that followed. I am more than proud to be his daughter.
Of all US soldiers who fought in WWII, none fought so hard…or suffered so deeply…than your father and his buddies, the Filipino Scouts and Aussie allies who survived Corregidor, the Bataan Death March, the hell of the prison camps. Every blessed one of them were heroes. I can’t put my respect into words.🇺🇸🦅
@Jim Reilly Thank you so much. Daddy wouldn't talk about it with me, but one time a man I worked with, from the Philippines, asked to meet my father. When he met daddy, he kneeled and kissed my father's feet, saying "Thank you for saving my country. " He and daddy talked for about 2 hours before he left. I was not privy to the conversation.
My father served with the Philippine scout along their US counterpart and was taken POW during the war in southern Philippines. My father have such great memories of friendship and respect with the US soldiers he worked and fought together. Their generation was the greatest because they gave something most of us will never be called to do.
Not to take anything away from the Brave young men and women who have perished in service of this nation since the late 90s Middle East Wars. up until today. BUT...Lets face it...There will never be another generation of men and women like those who fought in WW-2. Korea and The Vietnam Conflicts.
Yes, I do indeed believe there will be. As my Father's father's father, my Father's Father, my Father, myself, and my son have lived and died to attest, we in America do, finally, answer the call with honor, courage, and unbounding bravery. May it ever be so.
d graham --- I am offended by your comment!! Who are you to judge?? Have you ever served in America? I spent more than 20 years in the U.S. Air Force and now I am not only Retired but I am also a Service-Connected Disabled Veteran. I had/have friends who have not only served this nation but who also died for it. So, I am not sure what your point was with your comment but, a simple "Thank You" to all those who served this great nation would have been sufficient.
JAMESSIOBHAN Sorry if I offended you.YES I DID Serve as well. 4 Years in the Air Force Cold War. Yes we have had alot of brave young men and women die in service to this nation since WW-2. BUT...I Would be willing to bet you...More of these so called modern warriors went into battle reluctantly. Where as The men of WW-2. And Some women. Went without questioning. I do remember the fall out from the middle east campaigns. Of young people saying No to the war. Even more from the vietnam war. Yeah...Sure we had no business fighting that war. And too many of our young people died there needlessly. But they went because as usual because they either had to or some wanted to. But the Veterans of WW-2 went bravely. Fought and died giving both the Germans and Japanese no quarter. And they didnt have the technologies we had in Vietnam and the Middle East. So yeah...You have a point. But then so do I.
I had this previously unknown member of my family tree that I got introduced to by letter, an "Uncle Sam". I have since determined there was NO such member of my family tree..until I put him there.That I served (At least originally) was not in question; nor was it an option. HOW I served, and in which branch of service I served were options. That I remained in that service for more than 26 years was my choice. Such was, in 1940, NOT the case for my Father, or his generation. The entire world was burning. It could not, and would not be saved without them. The world, you understand. Their cause and their sacrifice was crushing to them, and to those who loved and cared for them, as well as to those they loved and cared for. It was necessity, not choice. They were my example. Proudly, some of them told me I had earned equality with them by the quality, dedication and devotion IN my service to and for them. I survived. Do not take away the right so many in my and the later generations to earn that same equality. I, as an Army soldier, would hold my comrades and compatriots as their blood flowed, and they breathed their last in my arms. I would later be the Chaplain who would knock on a door and destroy innocent forevers --one family at a time. I was the Dad who would spend every waking moment fearing that same knock. Luckily, it never came. I was the husband and father who, because that's what Dads, and husbands, and fathers do in this world, found himself lacking because he could neither explain or prevent the crushing fear from living under his roof, stealing the innocence, safety and security I fought so hard, every day, from under that same roof in the "0430"s of every day from the hearts that gathered there to protect and defend. In America today, we once again find it necessary to have "Gold Star" families. It's easy to swipe away as illegitimate, false, "less than", usually in the name of some personal moral conviction, this same reality because those who never faced such crushing necessity in the name of honorable service do not understand, appreciate, or find themselves courageous enough to be grateful for it in others; as it is so in so many other nations today as well. I know of no group who so despises war, either as reality or concept, as any gathered group of service veterans. This is why we take such offense (and, have no doubt, we DO take such offense) when anyone, ANYONE, "pooh-pooh"s away the service of others to us and what we hold most dear in the name of their own ignorance, lack of compassion, or misunderstanding of such realities as these in the reality of others. It's not right, it's not fair, and it is never attractive as a personal or social trait. The wisdom of the elders, the ancients who taught us about the necessity of walking a mile in someone else's shoes before our understanding of them would begin is still relevant today. tl;dr Those times were different, to be sure. The valiant necessity of honorable service is no different now than it was then. To be honest, it is OUR responsibility, those of us who served by choice, to be the vanguard of the respect and honor afforded to those serving now, or tomorrow. That is OUR job. We are failing miserably at it, both individually and corporately. If one requires proof, here's some: We lose one veteran in America every 80 minutes...to suicide. What is the number one cause of this? Hopelessness. An unforgiving, ungiving nation of ill tempered, non-responsive, uncaring citizenry who STILL does not see these heroes on our streets, or in our lives compels them, these returned heroes, these newest veterans to a point where "over the cliff" is a better option than remaining on this, the living side of it. And, all the while, thinking ourselves to hold a superior moral position. That is what your comment showed me. This wall of text is to explain to you why that is so. The only reason I dare take the time to write such a diatribe is because it seemed to me that you were sufficiently conflicted about your comment to deserve it. Sing, Ronan. Sing for us all: those who served, those who do not completely return, those who do not return at all and especially for those of us who have never had to go away in the first place. May we struggle to once again deserve the song.
I am a Gold Star Dad, My son sacrificed his life for the ones he loved back home. He was never drafted into the Infantry, He was a 4.00 student, that wanted to serve his country for freedoms sake....It isnt about a political decision weather a war is about oil,or Communism. It was because he loved his country....and hopefully there will always be true patriotic kids out there...
An older mason once hired me to mix mortar for him. He would light a cigarette, and start telling these stories about being a paratrooper in WWII. His truck had an Eagle decal on the back- “101st”. He didn’t like cold weather, “Not since that cold in Bastogne…” he said. I listened to his stories in awe. He’d been there: Anzio, D-Day, Bastogne. I didn’t really understand at the time. But now I revere his memory. Bruce Middough, 101st Airborne.
@ Anneke Poolen: Please tell us precisely what you have dome to contribute "to live(ing) in freedom today," or are you simply a parasite who who enjoys freedom due to the sacrifices of others?
Thank you, Joe. My Coast Guard son thanks you for your kind, generous, Christian email. God bless you. --US CG mom, niece of 2/23/1945 Iwo Jima 5th Division Marine niece, Veteran Volunteer
i go to the eaa in oshkosh wis every year ,the last couple years they talk about the tuskeege airmen ,and the commentater said the movie should be shown in every classroom in the united states ,this is what should be shown in every classroom
im glad for your dad,my father was killed 3 months before i was born,my step-father was shot by a sniper and suffered,what im saying was the blacks were a small percentage in that war,they helped win the war ,but now its like they won it,you hear they never lost a bomber they escorted,veteran bomber pilots shot that down,they said their were a lot of good black pilots but were no better than the white pilots,lets not change history,they contributed to winning but with whites,indians ,jewish and other nationalities@@anastunya
Lord, I am humbled by these beautiful stories of our fallen soldiers. I am so proud of them for walking in their integrity with valor and courage. Thank you all for protecting our country. 🥰🙏
For 42 years I’ve followed my brother and our father into uniform to secure the freedoms of this great nation. I would forfeit my life today for its ideals. I understand much of what my father experienced but will never fully understand what he saw during that war. He was a medic, wounded by a sniper, that’s about all I know, we experienced and lived with his PTSD, before it was. It wasn’t fun to see him battle his demons. God bless you dad, you’re in a better place.
Nice tribute to Durning, but let us not forget those who died in that valley in Vietnam on that dreadful day; an event that inspired this song. Watch the movie "We were soldiers" and you will walk away weeping and drained.
My family has served this nation since The American Revolutionary War where my distant paternal grandfather fought with the Virginia 9th Line at Brandywine and Germantown; discharged out of Valley Forge and left this great earth with nothing but his progeny. WWII, Korea, Vietnam -- we served. Not always in combat; but we served. Young, full of spunk the world was ours to conquer. I fear we no longer possess that Spirit. God Save America!
On the 50th anniversary of D-Day the godless Bill Clinton walked onto the beach at Normandy and happened to find some perfectly sized stones with which he made a cross. What a photo op.
If your heart doesn’t break snd you do not weep here in remembrance of theses great men and if this most tragic and yet glorious sacrifice you are not fully human and you are not fully American ! These were our best and yes “ Our finest hour “ sadly what we are left with now is a sad shadow of the light that was our glory ! 😰😰😰💔💔💔🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Patriots. When the word meant selfishness, honor, duty, God, & country. Men & women believed in justice, freedom, & love of country above all else. Proud to say our family have had warriors since WWII. My brother Marine Recon. Saw hell 1st hand.
My dad was a B-17 pilot, in Europe. flew out of England. Never talked about it. I did 10 years in the Army ,my son 6. 6 generations served in the Army.Just something we did.No hero,I am talking to you all.Losing it now. I went to this 2019.
There was much suffering for those that made it home as well. My father did not talk about WW2 very much. He did have nights when he got up and went for a ride in the middle of the night as well as having nightmares. I did not understand until I was an adult. The military people that went through this suffered there and after they got home. May we never forget what they went through to keep us free. God bless our military.
My Mother and her siblings knew that their Father served in WWII, but he rarely if ever talked about what he did or saw. They knew he worked on tanks, and they knew that he hated the cold and snow from being in the war during the winter. It wasn't until they were all grown that he told them that he had been at Normandy and The Battle of the Bulge and his company was at the liberation of one of the concentration camps. They never even knew. I guess that sometimes you see so much wrong and bad that you just can't bare to even verbalize it. Blessings on your Father and on your family for his service. That generation was a true gift to us all.
My father was a WW2 veteran, so were the dads of my boyhood friends. Our uncles were Korean War vets. Our older brothers were Vietnam vets, we were vets of Grenada, Lebanon, Bosnia, Somalia and the first Gulf War. Thnak god such men lived and that they still serve today. God bless the men an women of the true 1%. America needs you now.
I have to think Charlie and the rest that didn't make it and those who made it back home and try to make a difference in our country and the world. I Salute everyone for their dedication and determination to make a difference. It is our duty to go and help others in need. They all went and did what was necessary , we must never forget what they did for the people and our soldiers that give all, God bless them all. May they all wear a Crown of Glory, thank you all for your service🇺🇸 Lee Greenwood and his song, God Bless America!
@@leswalker2639 , With the China's and Russia's Actions of recent we maybe facing another World War soon. My son is Active Army now and I am considering going back in the State Military. I think this time could hit close to home.
@@timsparks1858 I really believe you are right, the War drums are beating. If they come near our Shores, they will have to fight us to on land. There are some in this country that has been trying to get the guns out of our hands for a long time, just for this reason, so we have to use rocks and that's not going to happen, you watch. We appreciate those who stand up for freedom and want to make a difference because we can and we will. I salute you and others and if it comes down to it, we will fight with you. You are the leadership of War, we got your back. All I can say is, come on Russia and China. You've been drooling and begging for a war for a long time. We all know you have wanted this land for a long time. We all know this President will go and hide somewhere, he has no leadership, sorry to say. We have the best Armed Forces and Technology. We know China's got those missiles, they may take out a small handful of people but we will crash and blow you out of the water, you ever hear of the big bang theory, that is the United States military might. China Russia you need to come a little closer to our Shores, you should know there is a line no one should ever cross. I'm not planning on ever speaking Russian or China lingo. Thank you all for serving, I'm not taking the Jab either, I would rather take a bullet. I don't care, if the FBI or the Biden Administration thinks this is hate speech or not.
@@leswalker2639 , The Chicoms scoping out our Silos and 52s, 1Bs and B-2s in Montana and North Dakota plus our Trident Sub base in South Carolina has Nuke all over it.
As the son of a World War 2 veteran who flew on a bomber crew in Europe and myself as a 14-year U.S. Navy veteran, I have the most tremendous respect for the members of the Greatest Generation, the ones who fought and died for this nation, My dad died last year at the age of 100. RIP to all those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country. You will never be forgotten.
Born 18 jears later, visited Normandië in 2007, for me it’s easy to cry when I see this. There, you can feel what happened on that day. I have a great respect for those men, and I thank them for bëing there, so we can live a normal life in freedom here in Holland.
I wish we had that dedication to God and Country now. It saddens me that we, as a nation, do not have that wonderful spirit. May God have mercy on this country and world. Amen.
2nd Battalion, 16th Regimental Combat Team, First Infantry Division RIP William Lafayette Harrell and SMAJ Ben Franklin 1st Wave Omaha Beach, Rest In Peace and Au Revoir
