Heroic Sacrifices Remembered in D-Day Stamps

On June 6, 1944, allied troops stormed the beaches of Normandy to turn the tide of World War II. "We weren't prepared for the chaos and all the disasters," said Medal of Honor recipient Walter Ehlers at a memorial service held this week at the cliff side cemetery above the now calm beaches where the bloody assault took place 63 years ago.

Looking out over row after endless row of prim white crosses, Ehlers, US Defense Secretary Robert Gates, French defense minister Herve Morin, veterans and survivors solemnly remembered the 9,387 war dead who lost their lives in the amphibious assault and subsequent operations. The invasion force battled entrenched German gun emplacements "so that this nation, this continent and this world could one day know the tidings of peace," Gates said. "For the French, it was the beginning of the advance of freedom," Morin said.

Sierra Leone is one of many countries that issued commemorative stamps to mark the 60th anniversary of World War II's most famous battle. The D-Day souvenir sheetlet of 8 shown above was issued in 2005 and is one of a series issued by Sierra Leone. Click the link to order. You'll find this and dozens of other D-Day and World War II commemorative stamps at County Stamp Center. Just click the post title to view our complete selection. Visit our website for all your philatelic needs.