Comments

Tom, All - Totally right to remember this and also this amazing man Henry Allingham who's celebrating his 110th birthday and is one of the very last British survivors of WWI. See:

http://channels.aolsvc.co.uk/news/article.adp?id=20060606113509990017&&n=rotator&p=Gold&c=welcome_screen

It does put so much into perspective, doesn't it?

Posted by Stephen Spencer at June 6, 2006 4:23 PM

Another link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Allingham

Posted by Mike L at June 6, 2006 5:27 PM

If today were June 6, 1944, my dad would not have been born for another 5 months. Regardless, growing up in a military (Seabee!) family and having my Dad serve for 26 years - my heartfelt gratitude to those that served this day 62 years ago - those that survived (and may read this) and those who are remembering their loved-one's ultimate sacrifice.

Posted by Russ N. at June 6, 2006 6:15 PM

More 'perspective', from my personal viewpoint: http://glvr.com/oldsite/v1/fyi/log/2003/June/06/here_there_everywhere/

Posted by gulliver at June 6, 2006 11:43 PM

Just finished a bunch of Stephen Ambrose books on D-Day - very much written from the point of view of the amazing individuals involved. If there was ever an example of what average/normal people from all walks of life are capable of it is this. He also finishes up by talking about what these great people did after the war too - what they built and the amazing achievements that the world has seen since then - a fine touch.

Posted by PaulH at June 7, 2006 1:55 AM

Thank you for reminding us all Tom. Sometimes I am surprised why people 'knock' my great country. Fundamentally I don't agree with war but sometimes we have to defend what is right. I was in London yesterday and passed the Senotaph in Whitehall. This always creates a moment of solitude and reflection in me. I pray we never have to face what my parents and Grandparents had to face.

Posted by Trevor Gay at June 7, 2006 1:57 AM

I 100% agree. As a kid I used to roll my eyes when my dad and grandad told me stories of the war - I feel awful about that now. The bravery and fortitiude was amazing and although I have now lost my dad, I know have all the momentos from WW1 and WW2.
One thing that is sad, is how people avoid reading about this history as they are missing out on some fantastic business management ideas. The idea of facilitating from the centre but the trust in the front line......war should never be "celebrated" but there are some great lessons to be learnt from the expereience, n ot just politically but in terms of leadership.

Posted by Anna Farmery at June 7, 2006 5:30 AM

That puts in to perspective my frustration with the direction my current employer is taking, squeezing creativity and making "best practice" the only acceptable practice.

To all those who fought genuine evil that threatened us ... thanks.

Posted by Dave Stringer at June 7, 2006 6:03 AM

Anna ... don't get me started! In my next life I'm going to be an historian. My Mom teethed me on history almost before I walked. (I was a late walker.) I once urged the Dean of the Stanford Business School to add at least a course, perhaps a required course, on business history; an accountant, he laughed.

I do not believe history repeats itself, but I do believe there is an enormous amount to LEARN and also SUBCONSCIOUSLY ABSORB by reading history.

I love to knock CEOs, but I have indeed read that many of them eschew "management books" in favor of a steady diet of good biography--I commend them unstintingly for that.

Posted by tom peters at June 7, 2006 7:10 AM

Congratulations to my highly decorated hero Dad for surviving parachuting Normandy Beach with the Screaming Eagles 101st Airborne - and for his recent 88th birthday [mom 80].

And for 60+ years we still have troops in Germany and Japan - and South Korea [50+ years] ... so this Islam-Nazi deal may require troops for coming decades.

Posted by Sean at June 7, 2006 8:28 AM

Amazing people

Posted by Craig at June 7, 2006 11:19 AM