Dear Alief Community and Staff Members,

Over the last 75 years our country has endured many experiences that have tested America’s resolve, America’s strength and our commitment to America’s great idea…democracy. America has survived multiple wars, attacks from outside terrorists (September 11, 2001), political and financial crises and many tragedies spawned from a variety of sources. Perhaps the singular event that best represents America’s resolve, strength and commitment to democracy took place 75 years ago this week, June 6, 1944.

Today is the 75th Anniversary of the landing operations on the five beaches of Normandy during World War II. This day, known as D-Day, began with more than 2,200 Allied bombers striking targets along the coast shortly after midnight on June 6, 1944. Thousands of paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne and 101st Airborne Divisions joined British and Canadian Airborne forces in pre-dawn jumps along the Normandy coastline prior to the arrival of the amphibious landing forces. More than 160,000 Allied troops landed at Normandy that day. This day featured the largest seaborne invasion in history with more than 6,900 vessels including 1,213 warships, 4,126 transport vessels and more than 1,500 support vessels.

More than 425,000 Allied and German soldiers were killed, wounded or went missing during the Normandy invasion and subsequent Battle of Normandy. The Allies would not maintain full control of all five beaches until June 12.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt said this about the brave troops fighting on D-Day…
“For these men are lately drawn from the ways of peace. They fight not for the lust of conquest. They fight to end conquest. They fight to liberate. They fight to let justice arise, and for tolerance and good will among all Thy people. They yearn but for the end of battle, for their return to the haven of home.” This is one reason this generation of men and women will always be known as the Greatest Generation.

So, as we go about our duties related to educating our students and preparing for the upcoming school year, please remember what today’s anniversary of D-Day means for our nation. Let us all pause for a moment and give thanks to those members of “The Greatest Generation” who gave all in the name of freedom during World War II. Many of you have family members that fought and in many cases died during World War II.

On behalf of the Alief ISD Board and administration, a heartfelt debt of gratitude goes out to the men and women who fought at Normandy and in World War II as well as for those former Alief ISD students who are currently serving in our military.

Sincerely,
H.D. Chambers
Alief ISD Superintendent