LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: D-DAY, I WAS THERE

Dear Editor,

Fifty years ago June 6, 1994, I was there, as were many from Southeast Missouri.

Machine guns were emplaced in the steep cliffs to cross-section the whole Omaha Beach at right angles -- leaving all areas exposed like ducks in a shooting gallery. "Eighty eights" (German concreat gun emplacements) fired continuously across the tidewaters of the beach and in reverse. German firepower greeting each and every landing boat with "death dealing" 100 percent accuracy. Boats slowed to 1 mile per hour due to the German "beach obstructions" and 50,000 active, super-sensitive magnetic mines and explosives. Activated German shells exploding over each boat, killing or maiming its occupants.

Smoke was everywhere, as if the sun had eclipsed at mid-day. Death, turmoil, devastation reigned supreme this D-Day. The question was ... survival! Or wasn't there a chance? Had we reached a point of no return? Was this the end? Was my life on earth to be completed at the age of 19 years of virginal life? Would I never see my hometown again? Never to greet my family or renew "old" friendships at the tender age of 19?

Yet, the shells exploded all around me. Bullets whistled past me -- my name not yet inscribed upon "the bullet." But, still, feeling the impending death all around me, as bodies disintegrated before me. Strips of flesh ... hitting my face and helmet ... as if I had stepped in a swarm of bees. Would this carnage never end? Or only end with my death?

My short life flashed before my eyes. Oh, if I only had a few more moments with my family. I felt like a criminal facing the "death chamber." Where had I gone wrong? To whom had I wronged? Was there enough time to redeem my sins? What sins? What was I doing there? Why was I chosen? From all my family, from all my friends?

As I think about that time now, I think: Surely, the few survivors of that D-Day had performed far and above their duty. Never before in history of warfare had a more deadly array of defense been prepared for an invading army.

My prayers for all who were there. To all who came back. And to all who did not.

MURRAY SILVERMAN

Mountain Home, Tenn.