Return to D-Day: 35 Men, 70 Landings at Normandy

by The Greatest Generations Foundation, John Riedy (Photographs), Warriors Publishing Group (With)

A percentage of sales benefit The Greatest Generations Foundation.A World War II veteran in the twilight of his life stands once again on the soil where he fought the Nazis when he was young man. He remembers those long-gone days of terror and valor and thinks of friends who died before his eyes. In a voice tinged with age and emotion, he talks about what he saw and heard and felt. Why would he want to revisit the places where he saw hell erupt around him? For many veterans, the experience brings a sense of closure to memories that often have been locked away like an old uniform. They find healing in places where once they witnessed the worst—and the best—that humanity has to offer.Since 2004, The Greatest Generations Foundation has offered the opportunity for veterans to return to their battlefields at no cost to them. These voyages back to the battlefields are often emotional, providing aging veterans a long-overdue method of dealing with their war experiences, a chance to re-kindle pride in their service and sacrifices, and a venue to educate others.In “Return to D-Day,” you can share in the stories of 35 such men, accompanied by John Riedy’s striking photographs that capture the raw emotions of their return to a pivotal battlefield of World War II in Europe.These are tough men who did things in war that often seem impossible today, things that needed doing if the world was to shake free of Nazi tyranny. Standing on Normandy Beaches, once among the bloodiest battlegrounds of military history, they humbly reflect on those events with acute and incisive hindsight. These men changed the course of history.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

78 pages, Paperback

First published June 3, 2014

About the author

The Greatest Generations Foundation (TGGF) is a non-profit International organization dedicated to promoting recognition and respect for war veterans of past and current conflicts while enhancing historical education for today's youth and tomorrow's leaders. We work to ensure that the honor and sacrifice of these veterans is never forgotten, nor that the value of their deeds be allowed to disappear into the annals of history.

Reviews

[Donna Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a small book but I liked it a lot. I think any historian and especially WWII buffs will enjoy the pages dedicated to individuals from D-Day with pictures past and present. I rec'd this item in a goodreads giveaway in exchange for a review.

[Tabby Shiflett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful tribute to WWII veterans involved with D-Day. A short but moving collection of mini-biographies of survivors who returned to Normandy over half a century later. Each section includes an earlier war-time photo and a picture from the return trip. The 35 men in the book are grouped with others from the same branches or units they served in. For history and/or military fans of all ages.

Net Galley Feedback

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book from Goodreads Giveaways. It's a splendid book, complete with brief bios of 35 brave men who fought in WW2. With this bio is an old military photo, and a beautiful current portrait of the men. The photos are beautiful and I very much enjoyed reading the bios and looking at the pictures. Thank you for this gift!

[Laura Rawls]

Good to get the stories down

It was great to have the stories of these vets down on paper. Wish it included more direct quotes and pictures of their return to Normandy.