72 years ago today, Ed Slavin, Sr., my father (and some 11,000 other American paratroopers), parachuted into Nazi-occupied France, arriving around 1 AM.
His brothers-in-arms called him "the old man," because they were 18, 19, 20 and he was 31 year old.
Only a few, including my father's buddy, John Steele, and 82nd ABN DIVN General James Gavin were older (and not by much).
The rest is history. The South Jersey Chapter of the 82nd ABN. DIVN. ASSN. is named after my father. I am his only offspring. He won three Bronze Stars, but modestly said, "They gave one to everyone who jumped" into North Africa, Sicily and Normandy.
The greatest invasion by the greatest generation saved the world from fascism.
My father taught me -- as JFK's father taught him -- that you must stand up to people with power or they walk all over you.
Lord, may all us real Americans stand up to fascism every day, in my father's spirit. Amen.
Or as General George S. Patton, Jr. prayed at Bastogne, written by a Roman Catholic Priest:
Almighty and most merciful Father, we humbly beseech Thee, of Thy great goodness, to restrain these immoderate rains with which we have had to contend. Grant us fair weather for Battle. Graciously hearken to us as soldiers who call upon Thee that, armed with Thy power, we may advance from victory to victory, and crush the oppression and wickedness of our enemies and establish Thy justice among men and nations."
(Posted as Tropical Storm Colin a/k/a Tropical Depression No. 3 is approaching St. Augustine) Florida)
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