“There has never been a military operation remotely approaching the scale and the complexity of D-Day. It involved 176,000 troops, more than 12,000 airplanes, almost 10,000 ships, boats, landing craft, frigates, sloops, and other special combat vessels–all involved in a surprise attack on the heavily fortified north coast of France, to secure a beachhead in the heart of enemy-held territory so that the march to Germany and victory could begin. It was daring, risky, confusing, bloody, and ultimately glorious.”
― Tom Brokaw, The Greatest Generation

My father, David Clinton Tharp, a decorated 101st Airborne paratrooper rarely spoke of the war or any particular documentaries or movies that would follow over the years after WWII.

However, when Tom Brokaw’s book, The Greatest Generation was published, Dad said that it was a, “must read.” He rarely spoke or openly reflected about his war experiences, and I remember taking notice of his recommendation. But before I got the chance to read the book, my father died suddenly in January 1999. I purchased the book soon after and began reading, The Greatest Generation and a flood gate of memories began to surface, memories of things that my father DID mention here and there during my childhood. I immediately sat down and typed a thank you letter to Mr. Brokaw:

“Although my sisters and brother at various intervals of our childhood would attempt to question Dad about the war, he had great difficulty talking about it. We grew up in a household filled with books, articles and documentaries regarding the war, but could not discuss it with Dad, except for him to say, “Whatever you read or hear, it was much worse.”

In reading your book, a memory came flooding back, a memory that I blocked out for many years. The incident which provoked my father is too personal, but Dad at one point openly recalled an incident from the war. At first he was angry and yelling and then he broke down in uncontrollable tears and walked away. I stood there with my younger sister speechless. We were only 13 and 16 years of age. This was the first and last time we saw our father break down. We knew he had much hidden pain, and yet we had no clue…

In closing, it is only after reading your book and after the death of our father that we are really and truly beginning to understand him. And in understanding our father, we are beginning to know ourselves a bit more. These men returning from war had a huge impact on all of our lives. I am sure that many or all of the children of these men who read your book will feel the same.”
~ Jenny Tharp La Sala

Within a few months, I received a telephone call from Mr. Brokaw’s secretary, saying that he would like to publish my letter and three of Dad’s wartime letters in his sequel, THE GREATEST GENERATION SPEAKS, which is exactly what he did. My mother was overflowing with pride and joy regarding this publication and later gifted the collection of letters to me in 2003, a gift that I hold near and dear to my heart. Those letters are now forever preserved in COMES A SOLDIER’S WHISPER with sentiments that resonate with our soldiers of the past, present and future.

Remembering our history and veterans one day at a time…

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