We Remember D-Day 80: Freedom Isn’t Free

On June 6, 1944, the allied invasion of Normandy, France under the codename Operation Overlord commenced. Utilizing over 150,000 allied troops, an unimaginable assault of manpower and amphibious support stormed the beaches along a 50 mile stretch of the Normandy coast. Omaha, Utah, Gold, Juno and Sword were the code name given for the various invasion forces thus beginning the largest amphibious assault in the history of mankind. Commonly referred to as D-Day, the Normandy invasion would ultimately lead to the liberation of France and Europe from the iron grip of Hitler’s Axis powers.

June 6, 2024, marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Once again, the brave invaders returned to the beach where they had landed 80 years ago. Gone are the young man carrying weapons and heavy packs as they jumped into the waters from landing crafts and in their place, we find the older and often frail veterans still proudly wearing their uniforms, ribbons and memories.

These remarkable heroes who sacrificed so much to restore freedom to the world. Gnarled hands clasped resolutely and bright eyes shining with tears now peering out from wizened faces.

The last living men and women of the Greatest Generation, we stand in awe of their courage, bravery and sacrifice.

Recently, we caught up with D-day survivor Irving Locker who at 99 years of age had just returned from Normandy, France. Indeed, this is one of several of Irving’s commemorative trip to Normandy where he landed as a 19-year-old staff sergeant on Utah beach. Irving also attended the 60th, 70th, and 75th anniversaries as well. Each one moving, each one a great reminder to those who were there and those who come after.

Troopathon Director of Troop Support Lisa Baron with WWII Veteran Irving Locker

Irving says “I thank God every day, People, children back in the U.S. have no real idea of what we sacrificed to be free, they just aren’t teaching the children that in school. The children of Normandy know, they greet us waving flags and shouting ‘Merci, merci.’”

Irving recalled on the 75th anniversary trip children greeted the veterans wearing red t-shirts bearing the message “I am a child of freedom. Merci, Dear Veteran.’ They know, they remember.” Irving asked one of the boys wearing the red shirt where he could buy one, the boy took his own shirt off and insisted Irving take it. He still has it today; he is proud to say.

Irving went on to recount, that on his latest trip a young man was on the beach waving a sign bearing Irving’s name. He called out and found the man who told Irving that his grandfather had served with Sergeant Locker and spoke of him often and he wanted the chance to meet Irving in person. Irving remembered his grandfather fondly and the two exchanged stories.

“I tell you,” Irving said, “I was just a little guy, only five feet tall, I was carrying a gun, a helmet and a forty-pound pack when I jumped into the water off the Higgins, I knew if I fell, that was it. I would be done for.”

Luckily for Irving and his wife of over three quarters of a century, Bernice, Irving made it to shore where he go on to oversee 65 men on the big guns. Sergeant Locker saw action in five major WWII battles including the Battle of the Bulge.

“You know, I am Jewish, and I saw terrible, terrible things. We liberated one of the death camps, I will never forget the horrible things I saw. The inhumanity.” When asked what the most important thing for people is to remember, Irving emphatically stated, “Freedom isn’t free.”

One cannot remember events like D-Day without thinking of 9/11 and the current conflicts rising in the Middle East and Israel. Once again, we find ourselves facing radical Islamic terrorist groups. Both in WWII and the current unrest we are fighting against an ideology defined by extremism, and racial hatred towards western ideology.

Today, the Next Greatest Generation is now on the ground, in the seas, and in the air defending against a rising tide of global extremism and hatred. They are sacrificing every day for our freedom, just as our troops did in World War II.

Angels Needed — Independence Day Troopathon

This year’s Troopathon will air exclusively on Newsmax TV several times the week before the 4th of July. Air time is expensive, therefore we are seeking a few awesome Angels to help us fund that expense. Therefore, all the contributions raised during our Troopathon can go directly to our care package program, thus putting the maximum amount of care packages directly into the waiting hands of our troops.

Since Angel contribution will be used to get Troopathon on-air, where we raise more money for care packages, your dollars will be expanded exponentially. Your dollars will allow us to raise more dollars making your contribution grow. All donations are tax deductible.

Our troops are seeing a lack of support and we need to step up and fill that void and let them know that we the American people still appreciate their sacrifice and all they do to keep us safe.

This worthy effort is only possible thanks to the generosity of our great MAF Angels that enable us to produce, broadcast, and air a program worthy of our troops every year.

Become and Angel Donor today and help up put Troopathon on the air for 4th of July on Newsmax.

Of course, you are always free to sponsor care package for Troopathon. All our care packages are jammed packed with the highest quality items our troops request. Don't miss this opportunity to make a lasting impact! Join us in sending a powerful message of gratitude and support to our troops this Independence Day

Your tax deductible gift will help fulfill the very next troops request for care packages on our list. Helping us make sure no one is forgotten and that each every military servicemember receives a hand packed and individually addressed care pack, complete with a personal message and full of the most requested items downrange.

June is PTSD Awareness Month

**Visit for more information if you or someone you know are suffering from service related PTSD**

June is PTSD Awareness Month, a great time to volunteer, support or just let our veterans know we care! June 27th is National PTSD Awareness Day! Help raise awareness of PTSD and its effective treatments by sharing this post! To discover ways to connect and share, visit the National Center for PTSD website: www.ptsd.va.gov.

At Troopathon, we pride ourselves on helping our active duty service members through our care package program. Did you know we also participate in many outreach efforts that help our struggling veterans as well? Through our collaborations with California Vet Court, we provide opportunities for at risk veterans to be a greater part of our community though volunteer opportunities such as helping out in our warehouse and giving back to the local community.

Suicide rates among veterans are higher than the general population, that’s why we believe it is important to help our veterans stay connected to the military community and to raise awareness for important programs such as the VA PTSD program so our veterans will know there is hope and help for them and they are not alone.