D-DAY

D-Day — 80 years later.  We watched parts of the D-Day service and other programs.  One survivor made the statement, “All were willing to stand up.  Not all came back.”  Another said, “I am not a hero.  I did my job.”

In my mind they were all heroes.  There are so many heroes during war.  There are the ones who step up, even if they were too young.  Survivors told about young men, who lied about their age, just to join the Army or the Navy….  They stood up.

Survivors told about the person who was first to step into the water.  They were often a part of those who did not come back.  They stood up.

Survivors … isn’t that a beautiful word?  Some of those survivors sat in front of 25 heads of state and 4,500 spectators.  Approximately 150-200 American survivors attended the ceremonies, while survivors, from other countries, attended ceremonies in different locations.  Survivors… isn’t that a beautiful word?

But many did not survive.  For those back home, the sight of military men walking toward their door, was the beginning of a journey they did not want to take.  But the parents, spouses, children, family, and friends stood up. They were also heroes.

Allied troops, on this day, stood up and turned the war around.  

They went on to defeat the hate and brutality of the Nazi army.  They fought.  Way too many died.  But isn’t the word survivors a beautiful word?

D-Day — 80 years ago — They stood up.  They are heroes.

Thank you and may I have even a small portion of the courage it took, on that day, to step into the water and face a very strong enemy.  I humbly say, “Thank you.”