Today is the 71st anniversary of D-Day, one of the largest amphibious invasions in history.  Besides being a prime number, there’s nothing special about the number 71 so you won’t see the wider coverage we enjoyed last year except for some stuff maybe on the History Channel.  It’s admittedly a tough subject.  In the 71 years since this almost indescribably important event, D-day has been taken apart in every way imaginable.

Last year, I featured a picture of the landing from the perspective of the troops coming off the landing craft and a clip of what I consider the most accurate media portrayal of the landing on Omaha beach, the opening scene from “Saving Private Ryan” in an article on GruntsandCo.

This year I thought I’d showcase what I think is the most accurate media portrayal of paratroopers jumping on D-day from the series “Band of Brothers”.

For what it’s worth according to the Geneva Convention you can shoot combatants using parachutes if they are coming down to attack you. You can’t shoot them if they are abandoning a stricken aircraft. Without seeing the plane, I’ve never figured out how to make out the difference in the heat of combat. What about if paratroopers are jumping out of a damaged airplane still with the intent of attacking the enemy? Sorry, I digress.

We are all fascinated by the incredible bravery displayed by so many that day and celebrate an infinite number of blessings because of their sacrifice. Had they not done what they did, there is no telling what additional evil would have been visited on this world by a regime that systematically murdered 11 million humans, (six million Jews and five million “others”) and according to new research may have killed up to 20 million.

About 2000 Americans died on Omaha beach alone, over 4500 on that one day, June 6, 1944. Over 400 thousand died in WWII. Bring it forward we have lost about 10,000 Americans to radical Islam (counting those who died on 911), an evil compatible with the hate espoused by Nazism. Radical Islam is as strong if not stronger today.

For me it evokes how John Steele may have felt as he hung by his chute helpless from the church steeple of Saint Mere Eglise . Watching his friends die in the courtyard below and knowing more were about to land.

Food for thought as we read the headlines…

(A clarification reference D-Day casualties was added after this article was published.)

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By Will Rodriguez

Will served over 20 years as an Infantry officer in Europe, the Middle East, Korea and Latin America. He led units from 40 to 1000 soldiers and has extensive experience/schooling in both light and mechanized warfare to include combat. His eclectic career includes serving with US and allied forces as well as the schoolhouse and the future force in a BattleLab. He holds a Nationals Security Degree from West Point and a Masters in Counseling & Leadership. He Co-founded W2 Training & Firearms (W2TF), a personal security consulting and training firm training approximately 500 - 600 students monthly. Will has over 500 hours of firearm, personal security, crime prevention and trauma medical training. Those instructor ratings including multiple NRA Pistol certs, Rangemaster Certification, Sage Dynamics Red Dot Sight and ALiCE Active Shooter Instructor. After Parkland, Willl served an Armed Safe School Officer with the Broward County Public School District protecting 1200 students and faculty against the Active Shooter threat Master Artisan and owner of The Soldier’s Place a military décor business. His work is featured in the National Infantry Museum, the Headquarters of the Special Forces Advanced Reconnaissance, Target Analysis, and Exploitation Techniques Course, 3rd Battalion 75th Ranger Regiment and Special Operations Command. Will is the Senior Editor, Writer and creator of GRUNTSandCo.com. His writing on military/foreign affairs and personal security issues has been published in Infantry Magazine, SpecialOperations.com, SOFREP.com, RE Factor Tactical He has been a frequent guest on the Wilkow Majority radio show. Will Rodriguez was born and raised in a very tough neighborhood in Brooklyn ranked number one in arson and in the top five for homicide and is extremely grateful for the opportunities he’s been blessed with. He is married to his best friend and biggest blessing. They have six furry four-legged children.

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