D-DAY.
Who knows why we are celebrating D-Day? It was the beginning of the end of the great war and represented allies coming together for a mass invasion at the beaches of Normandy, France to push the German Nazi's back and end the war. Having taken the Stephen Ambrose tours with the Band of Brothers, we followed the 101st Airborne from their training in Taccoa, GA to Hitlers surrender. So why are we celebrating something that happened 70 years ago? WWII was real, The concentration camps and murder of the Jews was real. We saw camps on our trip. I met folks while living in Europe who lived in these camps as children during the war. While I was concerned with black outs and rationing here (remember the stamps) they were concerned with survival and many were separated from parents and friends for many years or forever.
Yes, WWII changed the world as it was known in the '40's. It inspired some of our greatest musical hits and brought our nation together like never before or never since. Women left their homes to work in the jobs men had to leave behind. We entered this war that had been raging for more than 4 years, so to say, feet first with soldiers parachuting to the ground while others came by sea in boats that were gunned down at beaches like Omaha, Juno and Normandy. 17 year old boys from the US, Canada and UK were on the front lines with little or no protection, but with determination to end this war that had usurped most if not all of Europe under Nazi rule. We visited the bunkers where the Germans machine gunned down our brave young soldiers. The American cemetery there is quite a memorial to those brave young men. Marble crosses and Stars of David represented those who didn't make it off the beaches. Those who lay under the Stars of David were in double jeopardy...they not only represented the hated allied troops, but also the hated Jewish people, but they came to defend all people.
And because of this enormous sacrifice, America's entrance into the great war turned the tide and eventually all of Europe was liberated. We were heroes and our dead are honored in cemeteries across Europe. On our tour, local residents from embattled towns we visited all greeted us with "Thanks for liberating us", especially in Holland. The American GI was a hero. My how times have changed. Now they are spat on and even in their own country, can not get the medical care they need and deserve. Perhaps we need another D-Day. Decision day to honor American patriots. Decision day to bring peace instead of war. Decision day to come together with others to fight world oppression. Yes, the battle is still waging. How soon we have forgotten. Today is a day to reflect on our past and how it has impacted our future. Those of us who were born during the days of WWII and subsequent years remember when Americans worked hard to build this country into the greatest in the world. A lot has happened in recent years. Where are we going, now?
As we come together in celebration of our important role in WWII, let's celebrate it as it was meant to be celebrated...as a victory, but as one that cost lives as well as finances. As the opening of doors to alliances we still honor and a rebuilding of this nation and it's allies into stronger countries offering opportunities for it's citizens never before experienced. And, lest we forget, in this war, God was an important part. Prayers were lifted and God was honored. As has been said...no one wants to be beside an athiest in a fox hole. Times have changed indeed.
