Remembering D-Day: Honoring our Heroes
Growing up, you don’t really understand the totality and importance of what you’re learning in school. WWII is something you read about, talk about, but you don’t truly grasp its magnitude until you get older.
The sacrifices these men made, running headstrong into a battle many knew they would never return home from, become more profound with age.
Many left behind brothers, sisters, wives, sons, daughters, and friends—all to sacrifice for the greater good of humanity and for our nation.
About ten years ago, shortly after I moved to the D.C. area, I had the honor of greeting one of the Honor Flights that was coming to visit the memorials in Washington, D.C.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with their mission, here it is from their website:
“Honor Flight was created with a simple, yet powerful, mission – honoring our nation’s veterans by bringing them to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials built to commemorate their service and sacrifice. The Honor Flight Network was co-founded by Jeff Miller and Earl Morse.”
While initially focused only on America’s World War II veterans, the Honor Flight Network now also includes those who served in the military during the Korean and Vietnam War eras, along with veterans of any service era who are critically ill.
At the time, if I’m being honest, I still didn’t fully grasp the significance and what an honor it was to stand next to someone from the Greatest Generation. It never truly hit me until later in life—the enormity of the sacrifices these veterans made, likely witnessing their friends fall around them, all while pressing forward with unwavering courage and determination.
Confined to a wheelchair or not, he epitomized the American spirit. His strength and resilience were a powerful reminder of the extraordinary character and bravery of those who served during that era.
Now, as I watch videos and films of the men storming Normandy, the reality of their bravery and sacrifice becomes even clearer. These soldiers faced almost certain death, yet they pressed on for a cause greater than themselves. Their actions on D-Day were pivotal in the fight against tyranny and oppression, changing the course of history.
In remembering D-Day, we honor the valor and sacrifice of those who fought and died on the beaches of Normandy. Their legacy is a testament to the resilience and courage of the human spirit.
As we reflect on their sacrifices, I encourage everyone to watch President Ronald Reagan’s speech given in Normandy on the 40th anniversary of D-Day.
His words powerfully capture the essence of their heroism and remind us of the enduring importance of their sacrifice. In his speech, Reagan said:
These are the boys of Pointe du Hoc. These are the men who took the cliffs. These are the champions who helped free a continent. These are the heroes who helped end a war.
Let us never forget the bravery of these men and the price they paid for our freedom. In their honor, let us strive to uphold the values they fought to protect and ensure that their legacy lives on for generations to come.