Tribune editorial staff

As our boat touched sand and the ramp went down I became a visitor to hell.

- Pvt. Charles Neighbor

29th Division

Omaha Beach

Sixty years ago today, a group of brave men collectively performed one of the greatest military acts in history. D-Day.

The scale was enormous. More than 5,000 ships, nearly 11,000 airplanes and 175,000 soldiers served in the invasion.

On June 6, 1944, it was the largest land, air and sea invasion in history. Today, it still holds that distinction.

What they accomplished was incredible, that they did it so effectively, almost unbelievable. Even their leader, Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, who would later become president of the United States, allegedly carried a note in his wallet. On the note, he'd written what he would say publicly if the invasion failed.

It was an all-or-nothing attack. The losses were heavy. The invasion cost the lives of 6,603 Americans. Total Allied forces killed reached nearly 10,000.

Allied forces were fighting for the liberation of Europe and the end of the evil regime of Nazi Germany.

Today, we pause on this historic, triumphant and tragic anniversary to remember the men who fought for world freedom that day.

Unfortunately, the hands of time are taking its toll on the heroic men, who as young men, boys really, did the unimaginable. With each passing day, the number of living D-Day veterans diminishes.

But we hope the spirit of what they did and the world's respect for their bravery never ends.

Thank you, gentlemen, for going to hell for us in order to change the world.