6/6/44

Today is the 71st anniversary of D-Day, the invasion at Normandy France to retake Europe from the brutal Nazi's.  As we get further away from the date it seems there is less remembrance, as it somewhat fades from people's memories.  We must never forget those brave men who stormed those beaches.  Many died or were wounded in a true selfless act of valor.  Because of these true hero's, we are all here today and able to live our lives as free people.

I think to myself what those guys went through and wonder if I could have mustered the courage to crawl on to the beach at Omaha.  There was murderous machine gun fire, artillery shells and land mines.  Despite all of these obstacles, the soldiers made it across the beaches, scaled the cliffs and drove back the Nazi scourge.  How did these men do it?  What incredible intestinal fortitude and bravery they showed in the face of sheer evil.  When the gate/ramp of the LST craft dropped, these men faced almost impossible odds but were able to overcome them with herculean efforts.  What kind of men could do such deeds?  They were just common soldiers.  In reality they were so much more than that.  Men willing to die for freedom.  They gave all.  And for that, they deserve our love and praise.

As we drift further and further from June 6, 1944, it seems the memories of that day grow dimmer but it will always be a shining example of men who were selfless in giving of themselves for the cause of freedom.  We must never forget history or we will be doomed into making the same mistakes.  These men who participated in the invasion are truly our greatest generation.  We all should get down on our knees and thank them deeply for what they did.  I can only imagine the horrors that they went through on that day and unfortunately all I can offer is my sincerest gratitude for their bravery.  I promise never to forget those lads and what they did for me, for us.

Many brave souls died on D-Day and may they all rest in eternal peace.  In their resting place, they can know for their sacrifice, a world was saved from evil.  Today we are free people because of what they did.  To me, there is no greater epitaph for these brave men.  As the ranks of the greatest generation thin each day, we all owe every remaining WW2 Veteran our praise and thanks.  It is our duty to remember them because of what they did for us.  God bless them each and every day.