“If you’re not in control, something else is. And that’s dangerous.”
Lisa Kyle
Let Us Remember D-Day (and little-known WWII stories)
I realized when I saw “D-Day” on my calendar today, that I never learned much about this historical day which turned the tide of World War II. So I embarked on some research which spiraled in several directions…
I personally have a deep connection to WWII and have done lots of research on Nazi Germany over the years, which led me to discovering the Catholic martyr, Fr. Alfred Delp. My father, named Joseph, was almost killed by a shrapnel bomb, as a recruit of the “Seabees”. I think he was performing an operation, disengaging these land mines, when this happened. I remember the horrifying scars on his back. I remember the dramatic blue and red tattoo on his arm. I remember his Navy hat in the hallway closet.
The Seabees (cleverly taken from “CB,” Construction Battalion) were Navy soldier engineers/builders/craftsmen, formed specifically for WWII and its unique challenges (they would also conduct clean-up in destroyed areas). The USA needed to establish infrastructure around the world and these were the highly qualified men to do it. Not only did they have to build, but build as covertly as possible. Many of these guys were both tough and intellectual, knowing how to wield a gun while doing calculus in their heads! Those who knew my father would laugh, as this is exactly who he was, perfect for the job, a macho Sicilian from Brooklyn who went on to design machines for factories. Apparently, he was recruited as an electrical engineering student of the Illinois Institute of Technology (this is what I have gleaned, as he passed when I was very young).
My father told the story of a little-known suicide mission in the Philippines, undertaken by his courageous fellow Seabees. If he had volunteered himself, you would not be reading these words. This was one war story which seemed to imprint itself indelibly upon his heart. And this may be the first time it has ever publicly been told. I won’t be able to get the technicalities right, so I won’t try. It was an effort to disrupt Japanese communication systems, which were electrically dependent. The engineer had to go into an electrical box and blow it up, dying in the process.
Here is a recent article honoring the Seabees, which are still in existence and also played a role in the D-Day invasion. Today, they do all the same work, only it’s more high-tech and they also are called to help after natural disasters…
“From erecting entire bases in the jungles of Vietnam to constructing floating causeways for D-Day landings, the Seabees have pulled off some of the most audacious engineering feats in military history. Their work has enabled some of the most crucial missions in modern warfare…Beyond the battlefield, former Seabees have gone on to revolutionize the civilian construction industry, carrying their skills and discipline into the world of infrastructure development. Despite their vital role, the Seabees often remain in the shadows of military history. Their contributions deserve more recognition, as they are the foundation—literally—of countless military victories. The Seabee ethos is one of resilience, innovation, and determination.”
Blood, Sweat, and Concrete: Inside the World of the Seabees
USN for Life ~ you can get cool gear here too!
Moving on to another story, my father’s brother, Uncle Sal, was one of the survivors of the sinking of the “Sammy B” ship off the coast of the Philippines. Most of the crew survived, but had to swim in shark waters for 3 days. I should not have to tell you what my uncle and the other men witnessed and suffered in those 3 days. He was so traumatized, he lost his voice for a time. Salvatore went on to become Chief Architect of Walt Disney World in Florida, influencing a generation of architects. After seeing the absolute worst life could offer up, he dedicated himself to the creation of a fantasy paradise…also, a little-known story of American 20th-century history.
Back to D-Day, the largest sea invasion in history, here’s an article from yesterday, which includes video footage and a pep-talk by Eisenhower…
“By being able to get forces into Normandy, the Allies were able to begin their advance into northwest Europe. Though World War II lasted nearly another year in Europe, the success of Operation Overlord led to the liberation of France and allowed the Allies to fight the Germans in Nazi-occupied Europe. The US’ National World War II Museum says that a good way to appreciate the significance of D-Day is to imagine what would have happened if the operation had failed. According to the museum, another landing would have not been possible for at least a year. In this time, Hitler could have strengthened Nazi-occupied Europe’s coastal defenses, developed aircraft and weapons, bombed the UK even more heavily and continued his killing campaign.”
What is D-Day? How the Normandy landings led to Germany’s defeat in World War II
CNN World
Let us pray for those who lost their lives on D-Day, on both the Allied and Axis sides, and for their families who suffered with so much grief…and for all the souls touched by that terrible war. Let us pray for mercy for the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Let us seek to console Our Lord’s Heart for these crimes. Though this is said to have ended the war, we know as Catholics, civilians may never be targeted. I would also like to remember my husband’s Uncle Harry, a young man killed in Germany in WWII.
As we approach Pentecost…
“Come Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful and kindle in them the fire of Thy love. Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall be created. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.”
May peace reign in Holy Church and throughout the world!
Thoughts for the Day
“This is the first day of the rest of your life!”
I love this quote. You can change everything whenever you want. It’s very inspiring. And it goes hand in hand with this one…
“I can do all these things in Him who strengtheneth me.”
Philippians 4:13
And there’s this one, which is sort of related…
“What we are is God’s gift to us. What we become is our gift to God.”
…Hey, ever wonder why the same people who always talk about diversity love to criticize the Tridentine Mass? This betrays their hypocrisy and true agenda. Let us pray for our traditional Catholic brethren in the Diocese of Charlotte, North Carolina, as they are undergoing an horrendous persecution right now. Let us pray for His Holiness Pope Leo XIV to eradicate “Traditionis Custodes” (what an ironic title for this Motu Proprio, please don’t get me started).
Thought for the Day
The Devil at his worst, is at his most self-defeating.
The "2-Minute Rule" for Homemakers
I want to share something with you wonderful ladies (and men!) out there that has really improved my life. The “2-Minute Rule.” About a year ago, I was watching someone on YouTube (sorry, I don’t remember who it was) who proposed this idea:
If you see something that can be done in 2 minutes, do it now.
This is a variation on Marla Cilley’s “Do it Now Principle,” which I previously wrote about (see below). For some reason, this 2-minute phrasing of the same idea, resonated better with me and I started really doing it. It’s not to be taken literally that the thing will take 2 minutes, but many things can be done quite quickly. I can’t tell you how helpful this has been for me. Things are now getting done that in the past I would have procrastinated with. It is a different way of looking at the field of your responsibility, when you realize, “I don’t have to feel overwhelmed, I can actually do this very quickly.” This might mean letting go of your perfectionism. At my age, I am increasingly getting used to the idea of:
Good enough is good enough
This might seem like a strange Holy Week meditation, but if you suffer from feeling overwhelmed or being perfectionistic, this could be a real lifesaver for you and your family. Below are some homemaker-related posts I have done, have a look! I hope this is helpful:)
The "Do it Now Principle"
10 Reasons to Purge Your Home
15 Simple Homemaker Hacks!
Thought for the Day
“A phenomenon takes on meaning out of expectation.”
Michael Wann
Great Ayn Rand Quote
“[Man] is free to make the wrong choice, but not free to succeed with it. He is free to evade reality, he is free to unfocus his mind and stumble blindly down any road he pleases, but not free to avoid the abyss he refuses to see. Knowledge, for any conscious organism, is the means of survival. To a living consciousness, every is implies an ought. Man is free to choose not to be conscious, but not free to escape the penalty of unconsciousness: destruction.”
Ayn Rand
Dumb Catholic Humor....
If I ever become a saint, just my luck, my feast will be on February 29th.
Happy Not Leap Year!
Reminder: March 1st is the last Saturday before Lent (go to confession) and also, the First Saturday of the month (Communion of Reparation to the Immaculate Heart).
Thoughts for the Day
You’ll never get at truth unless you extend a bit beyond it.
~ ~ ~
Create the flow and stop the friction.
~ ~ ~
Too much of one thing produces the opposite effect.
+++ Rest in Peace, My Dear Father +++
Joseph J Interrante
January 19th, 1920 ~ August 25th, 1974
+ 50 Years Gone Today +
The Best Father Any Little Girl Ever Had
I Love You Daddy!
Requiem æternam dona ei, Domine
Et lux perpetua luceat ei
Te decet hymnus Deus, in Sion
Et tibi reddetur votum in Ierusalem
Exaudi orationem meam
Ad te omnis caro veniet
Requiem æternam dona ei, Domine
Et lux perpetua luceat ei!
+ + +
“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.”
Matthew 5:5
From today’s Tridentine Mass:
The angel of the Lord shall encamp round about them that fear Him, and shall deliver them: O taste and see that the Lord is sweet.
Seek ye first the kingdom of God: and all things shall be added unto you, saith the Lord.