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VIRGINIA VIEWPOINTS
D-Day was no sure thing
Seventy years ago, on the day be-
fore the Allied landings on the coast
of France were
to begin, Gen-
eral Dwight D.
Eisenhower,
the Supreme
Commander
of Allied Forc-
es, prepared
a short state-
ment to be read
in the event
DAVID S. KERR the landings
proved a fail-
ure. He wrote
it out in pencil and began with the
words, "Our landings in the Cher-
bourg have failed to gain a satisfacto-
ry foothold..." He closed by saying,
".. if any blame is found to attach to
this attempt, it is mine alone:' It's a
haunting note to read. And while we
know through the hindsight of his-
tory that D-Day was a success, at the
time, Eisenhower fully appreciated
that this was one of the riskiest and
most dangerous military operations
in history.
The Allies had committed their
full might to the D-Day landings; the
numbers are staggering. The inva-
sion would be launched from mul=
tiple ports all over the south coast
of Britain. It would involve a mas-
sive armada of over 4,000 ships and
11,000 aircraft. But most important-
ly, 150,000 men - some having expe-
rienced battle before and most facing
it for the first time - were waiting to
be the first ones to land in France.
One of the biggest risks to the op-
eration was that the Germans would
find out when and where the land-
ings would take place. Ihe longer
the Germans were kept guessing,
the more difficult it would be for
them to concentrate their forces for
a counterattack. Hoping to create a
deception, the Allies created phony
army with General Patton appointed
to lead it, a buzz of daffy radio traf-
fic, and inflatable tanks and trucks;
all positioned so that German recon-
naissance aircraft would think some-
thing was up. But no ohe was sure
that the Germans had taken the bait.
Would they withhold their forces
expecting the main assault at Calais,
or would they put all they had into
repelling the Normandy landings
before the Allies could gain a foot-
hold?
The Other gamble was the weather.
The operation was set to commence
on June 5, but the weather remained
unusually bad. Eisenhower delayed
the start of the invasion for 24
hours. The situation was tense; hun-
dreds of thousands of men waited
on ships; seasickness was rampant;
Eisenhower's chief weatherman,
British Royal Air Force Group Cap-
tain John Stagg, predicted that a
fast moving high pressure system
would give the Allies a 48-hour lull
in the weather, starting early on
June 6. Stagg, incredibly, relied on
a single observation from a ship in
the North Atlantic. It wasn't much
to go on, but Eisenhower took the
risk and gave the order to go.
For a while, it looked like Ike's
worst fears might become reality. Be-
cause of low visibility, the Allied Air
Forces missed most of their targets
on the beach. German defenses, the
pillboxes and the artillery were still
intact. Also, most of the tanks and
heavy vehicles were lost in .the heavy
surf. The soldiers reaching the beach
had to fight t out by themselves. The
British were getting ashore alright;
they had three beaches to assault, but
the Americans, particularly at Oma-
ha Beach, were having a tough time.
For several hours, seeing no move-
merit at all, the Navy stood ready to
carry out an evacuation. But, thank-
fUlly, that's not what happened.
With a growing resolve, facing
incredible danger, American troops
along this narrow battlefield began
to breach the German defenses to
start moving inland. By day's end, all
of the landings had succeeded, and it
was obvious that Ike didn't need his
other statement. Instead, he was able
to give the world the message, one
that millions in Europe and Ameri-
ca had prayed for, that Allied forces
were ashore in France. D-Day, per-
haps the biggest gamble in military
history, was a success.
Reach David Kerr at
kerr@journalpress, com
Op Ed
"Governing for the People"
DEL. MARGARETRANSONE
I have had the benefit of repre-
senting the citizens of the Northern
Neck in the House of Delegates dur-
ing these three years. It is an honor
and privilege to serve the people of
Virginia, and a responsibility that I
take very seriously.
I was disappointed tO see Gover-
nor Terry McAuliffe's recent letter
to the citizens of the Northern Neck.
This letter was an obvious attempt to
misrepresent the facts about the cur-
rent budget impasse and Medicaid
expansion.
The people of the Northern Neck
are not uninformed pawns that poli-
ticians can use for political gain. We
are "hard working families that de-
serve honest, forthright elected lead-
ers.
As I said, I consider myself a ser-
vant of the people. When I make
decisions I consider the genera-
tions ahead of me, the generation
now and the generations to be, but
most importantly, I weigh out the
facts.
Under President Obama's signa-
ture healthcare reform law, states
have the option to expand their
Medicaid programs. This is not a re-
quirement. Right now, about half the
states have rejected Medicaid expan-
sion. Virginia is one of them.
However, Governor McAuliffe and
Senate Democrats refuse to pass a
state budget unless we implement
Medicaid expansion in. the Com-
monwealth. In other words, they re-
fUse to do their job unless they get
their way on Medicaid. That's care-
less, irresponsible and wrong.
The state budget was due on Marcla
8 - over 80 days ago. Now, we're less
than 30 days from the first govern-
ment shutdown in state history.
"Add to that, Virginia Could be fac-
ing a $300 million shortfall for this
year and $1 billion general fund
shortfall for the next two years. We
will have to significantly re-evaluate
our spending priorities.
The $1 billion general fUnd revenue
shortfall is proof that we shouldn't
expand Medicaid. The cost of the
current Medicaid program is already
unsustainable. Adding 400,000 peo:
ple to the program and taking on $2
billion in "new, long-term financial
1
I.M.H.O. (in my
humble opinion)
With school winding down, there
will be more free time to devote to
v61unteering here in the county. Now
is the time to get involved with your
local government and local activities.
or picketing for one cause or another.
Say, how come we don't have picket-
ers here in King George? There are a
lot of gripers, but no picketers. Back
in the day, it seemed every corner had
someone demonstrating/picketing
or .fighting for one cause or another.
Have we become so detached, that
we can't take our views on the road?
I know there are times I feel like put-
ting a sign up, or picketing. Hmm. I
need to find some poster board and-
picket the nori-picketing.
obligations right now would be be-
yond irresponsible.
I do not think Virginians believe
making government bigger will save
them money. If that worked, the fed-
eral government would have gotten
out of debt a long time ago.
Medicaid is already the fastest
growing part of the state budget.
It consumes 40 percent of all new
revenue and has grown by 1600 per-
cent over the last 30 years. Expand-
ing Medicaid will make the problem
worse, not better.
Virginians recognize this. A recent
survey done by Christopher New-
port University showed that Virgin-
ians oppose Medicaid expansion by
13 points. Independents oppose it by
20 points.
Regardless of how you feel about
Medicaid expansion, we should alI
agree that it is wrong to delay the en-
tire state budget over a single issue.
That might be how they do things in
Washington, but it's not the Virginia
way.
The pending government shut-
down and potential budget shortfall
isn't about Medicaid expansion any-
more, it's about the fiscal integrity of
theCommonwealth. We need to get
a budget in place so we can dear with
the budget shortfall and so localities
can begin making plans to prepare
for cuts in state fUnding.
The quickest way to do that is to
set aside Medicaid expansion. We
need to go to Richmond and pass
a responsible budget right now. We
can continue the debate over Medic-
aid expansion later.
Over 100 local governments,
school boards, local elected officials
and business groups, including Rich-
mond, Northumberland, Lancaster
and King George Counties have
passed resolutions or sent letters to
the Governor supporting this posi-
tion.
As an elected leader, I feel obligated
to do what is right for the people of
Virginia. To me, that means passing
a state budget on time that spends
taxpayer dollars in a responsible way.
I hope the Governor gives the Gen-
eral Assembly the opportunity to do
that soon.
Del. Ransone can be reached at:
delmransone@house, virginia.gov
Letters tothe Editor
Dear Editor:
Congressman Rob Wittman's
friends and supporters should
make certain they go to the polls
Tuesday, June 10, to cast their vote
in the Republican primary.
Wittman has represented the
First Congressional District since'
December, 2007, when he won a
special election to replace the late
Rep. Joann Davis. He has been re-
elected three more times.
He has achieved greater influ-
ence over his years of service. He
is a member of the prestigious
Armed Services Committee, and •
is chairman of its Oversight and
Investigations Subcommittee. He
also serves on the Subcommittee
on Seapower and Expeditionary
Forces. Wittman also serves as
Chairman of the Board of Visitors
of the Naval Academy.
As a member of the conservative
House Republican Study Commit-
tee, he is one of the House leaders
in the fight to curb federal spend-
ing.
Wittman serves as a member
of the House Natural Resources
Committee, forging new ideas in
efforts to protect and clean up the
Chesapeake Bay, the First District's
greatest natural treasure.
He is widely recognized as a
strong supporter of veterans and
fights for the best treatment pos-
sible for our retired and disabled
vets and their families,
He advocates total respect for
the Constitution in adopting laws
governing the country. He does
not support the current President's
new efforts to act without Con-
gress, using "a pen and a phone"
We are lucky to have such a hard-
working person as our Representa-
tive.
Please support Rob Wittman for
Congress in the June 10 Republican
primary.
Carol Dawson
Morattico
To the Editor:
I urge all local Republicans and
others interested in supporting Re-
publican candidates to vote in the
Republican Primary on June 10th to
select Congressman Rob Wittman
as our candidate for election to the
next Congress in November. Con-
gressman Wiittman has represented
the First Distrrict of VA in exemplary
fashion in thee last three Congresses
and gained immeasurable experi-
ence in the ways of Washington and
familiarity with the details of im-
portant national issues. With a solid
foundation of prior experience in
municipal, county and state govern-
ment prior to election to Congress
. Rob well understands the implica-
tion of decisions made in Washing-
ton on the state and local level..
A strong family man and young
grandfather, he has continued to
reside among his constituents and
travel broadly within his District
while serving in Washington on the
state and local level.
Congressman Wittman has done
his homework in Congress. He has
familiarized himself in depth with the
important issues of the.day. Those of
you who have heard him speak have
been impressed with the depth of his
See LETTERS, page 1.1
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Level: Intermediate
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ARIES - MAR 21/APR 20
Aries, your energy is contagious
this week, and others flock to you
as if you have a magnetic pull. En-
joy the attention, but don't forget to
seek some solitude as well.
TAURUS - APR 21/MAY 21
Take precautions as you prepare
for an important project, Taurus.
If you rush through things, you are
bound to make mistakes that could
negatively impact your career.
GEMINI - MAY 22/JUN 21
Everything you touch turns to
gold this week, Gemini: You could
set many things into motion with
your clever ideas and infectious
charisma. Stay grounded.
CANCER - JUN 22/JUL 22
An unexpected encounter stirs
up some old feelings, Cancer. Enjoy
your trip down Memory Lane and
take advantage of this opportunity
to reconnect with an old friend.
LEO - JUL 23/AUG 23
Leo tread lightly this week when
working on an important project.
Expect srutiny in all you do and
plan accordingly. Keep working
hard, and your efforts will be no-
ticed.
VIRGO - AUG 24/SEPT 22
Expect the unexpected this week,
Virgo. Things might seem as if they
are going according to plan, but a
few complications may arise so be
prepared.
LIBRA - SEPT 23/0CT 23
A great idea has sidetracked you
for sometime now, Libra. But now
it's time to get back into your nor-
mal routine and focus on the tasks
at hand. "
SCORPIO - OCT 24/NOV 22
Scorpio, embrace unique ideas
concerning your future this week.
Consider all possibilities no matter
how out of the ordinary they may
seem.
SAGITTARIUS - NOV 23/DEC
21
Practical concerns could'tem-
porarily stall plans that are a bit
fantastical, Sagittarius. But don't
fret, you will have an opportunity
to put some plans in motion soon
enough.
CAPRICORN - DEC 2/JAN 20
You may experience a conflict
with others at work thiv week, Cap-
ricorn. It is best to roll wffh the
punches instead of causing a stir.
Allow the situation to unfold.
AQUARIUS - JAN 21/FEB 18
Aquarius, a hectic few weeks at
work have proven distracting. It
might seem overwhelming right
now, but things will settle down in
a matter of days.
PISCES - FEB 19/MAR 20
Pisces, you may want to .he invi s -
ible in the crowd this week; but that
scenario simply isn't in the cards.
Grin and bear the attention.
CROSSWORD PUZZLE
;LUES ACROSS
1. Thyroid-stimulating hormone
4. Spigot
7. Military mailbox
8. Electric auto company
10. Fastest man alive
12. Expressed pleasure
13. Venice beach
14. Teletypewriter (abbr.)
16. A young man
17. Evade
'19. Volcanic Japanese moun-
tain
20. Danson, Turner & Ken-
nedy "
21. March holiday
25. Fruit drink
26. Come about
27. Capital of Yemen
29. Tayra genus
30. Mandela's party
31. Vestment
32. Eye exam instrument
39. Plural of 47 down
41. Ingest
42. Coneless volcanic craters
43. The woman
44. Make a mistake
45. Horse gait
46. Father of Lot
48. The destroyer (Hindu)
49. Remove
50. Remains after deductions
51. Clairvoyance
52. Gourde (abbr.)
CLUES DOWN
1. Contents lists
2. Condition of inedible food
3. Armed robbery
4. Traditional Asian beverage
5. Scarlett's first love
6. Beg
8. Scotland's longest river
9. Sums up
°11. People of southern India
14. Epression of disappointment
15. Japanese electronics firm
18. And, Latin
19. Highest card in a suit
20. Paper Mulberry bark
22. Cattle farmer
23. Actress Lupino
24. Constitution Hall oi'g.
27. Plant fluids
28. Small social insect
29. Shade tree
31. Model Carol
32. Classical singing dramas
33. Swiss river
34. Atomic #62
351 Felines
36. Paddling
37. Established beyond doubt
38. Personal property
39. Tennis great Arthur __
40. Stock certificate
44. Point midway between NE & E
47. Egyptian cobra
See classified page for answers
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