To mention D-Day these days is to speak of an important decision day in one's life or business. In that scenario of invasion sixty-seven years ago it meant death, destruction and invasion. June 6th was not the first choice day for the invasion, but weather brought about a change. Perhaps another would have been more effective for the seas were rough and many soldiers were ill before they reached a beach. The air force could not contribute as much as planned and gliders crashed and killed many troops. It was a horrible day for both sides. How anyone survived is a miracle. More than 200,000 troops of both sides would die or be wounded in the three months of battle ahead before Normandy would be secured.
Today, the list of D-Day survivors is a small one. More are lost each day. Those brave men who survived lived with that memory of death and dying through all their years. One could not forget such a time. We owe them much. England, France, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, Poland, Finland, and other European countries owe them gratitude as well. Even Germany should be grateful it was not a power under Adolf Hitler.
It is amazing that war is again our lot. Since World War II we have mostly been at war. The Cold War last many years. Korea and Viet Nam were terrible and deadly wars. Our conflicts in the Middle East and Afghanistan continue to be dangerous for all. It makes me think of that verse in "I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day". "And in despair I bowed my head. There is no peace on earth, I said, for hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth, good will to men". These words were written during another terrible war of Americans against Americans.
