Continuing to Learn, So We Never Forget

by | May 30, 2019 | American History, Turnbull Restoration & Manufacturing Blog | 2 comments

Observing the 75th Anniversary of D-Day

Men of the 16th Infantry Regiment, US 1st Infantry Division wade ashore on Omaha Beach on the morning of 6 June 1944 – National Archives and Records Administration

As fellow Americans, we’ve just celebrated one of our most revered holidays, which of course is Memorial Day. Coming up soon – on June 6th of this year – is the 75th anniversary of D-Day in WWII. We feel that one of the best ways to honor those who served and made the ultimate sacrifice during the largest seaborne invasion in history, and indeed in the larger conflict, is to keep ourselves educated. To never forget. Certainly with regard to the invasion of Normandy, but also with regard to the Second World War’s impact on global events which we still feel today.

So we’ve collected a list of topical resources that we’ve found especially interesting, and have thought to share here as one small way of paying tribute.

Which WWII-related resources do you find the most educational and inspirational? We’d love to read your thoughts and stories, so feel free to use the comments section below.

The National WWII Museum

The National WWII Museum, formally known as the National D-Day Museum, is located in New Orleans, Louisiana. As a Smithsonian affiliate, the Museum seeks to tell the story of the American experience in the war that changed the world. According to their mission, the museum will tell why WWII “was fought, how it was won, and what it means today—so that all generations will understand the price of freedom and be inspired by what they learn.” We can’t think of a more worthy endeavor in paying tribute to those who served and sacrificed.

The Museum has done an outstanding job of curating both physical and online experiences that curate D-Day’s 75th anniversary. Of particular note is the Museum’s partnership with Arizona Stet University. Together they’re offering a WWII continuing education program. This track provides online courses that allow WWII experts and educators to gain premier knowledge that can be used in their professional careers. Teaching the teachers – well done, National WWII Museum.

American Rifleman

The official journal of the National Rifle Association has done a great job of organizing numerous pieces on the subject of D-Day. Interspersed with D-Day related events and commemoratives are stories of the brave people that served and sacrificed in the name of liberation. Firearms historians will especially appreciate the NRA’s outstanding job of documenting the role of many different weapons in WWII.

The National Churchill Museum

Doug Turnbull has visited this special establishment on several occasions (read about one such visit here). The National Churchill Museum, located at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, is in essence a monument to what came after WWII. Westminster is the site Churchill’s famous “Sinews of Peace” speech of 1946. This address effectively marked the beginning of the Cold War and linked, forever, Westminster College with Winston Churchill.

The Museum’s website contains an amazing collection of information on the iconic British statesman, his special relation with the United States, and his role in the events of the Second World War. The website also contains transcripts of Churchill’s famous speeches, including “The Invasion of France” which was delivered to the British House of Commons on June 6th, 1944.

Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum

While we know D-Day was a gigantic seaborne campaign, we can’t forget the monumental role aviation played in the 1944 invasion and in the larger war effort. The Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum has curated an inspirational collection of stories about the men, women and machinery that served in the allied air forces.

2 Comments

  1. Bill Addeo

    After they are all dead, the left will try to change history. We must teach children the truth about American culture and the price of freedom, which is not free.

    Reply
  2. John Ross

    We are deeply indebted to the men and women who mounted D-day. Did a book on the weather forecast that made the invasion possible – The Forecast for D-day and the Weatherman behind Ike’s Greatest Gamble. For more, take a look at http://d-dayforecast.com/

    Reply

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