65 years is a benchmark age of senior citizenship; a baby born on that fateful day is eligible for regular social security payments. It reminds us that the diminishing number of WWII veteran survivors are old men. President Obama noted in his speech today that one survivor whom had intended to celebrate the day (Jim Norene) died in his sleep overnight.
One can only imagine participation in the greatest single-day amphibious invasion in world history, a very difficult task because it was widely expected and anyone landing on the beach was vulnerable to Nazi German firepower; it could take incredible courage, many young men knowing that day could be their last and that they may never see their families or fiancees again. To them, the cause was greater than themselves and the ultimate test of their faith in God and country. To the Soviets on the Eastern front who had earlier valiantly fought off the Nazis literally miles from Moscow and other battlefronts and had suffered unspeakable numbers of civilian casualties, it was a long-awaited second phase of the Western front that spelled the beginning of the end of Nazi Germany, bordering the east of France.
I was moved by glimpses of those plain crosses and Stars of David in neighboring cemeteries we briefly saw on television, Americans whom had bled and died, whom had stood up to a brutal fanatical regime, a cruel, merciless enemy that preyed on the weak, the defenseless, and those different from themselves. These heroes were never to return home but remain in Normandy, an enduring testament to the ideals of our democratic republic.
I relived, via a Youtube video, President Reagan's masterful address 25 years ago at this very same site; I was moved not only by the words, but his heartfelt delivery. He was speaking for all of us. I didn't feel the same way about President Obama's speech; it had nothing to do with political differences. President Obama is a gifted orator; to me, though, the speech came across as abstract and somewhat detached. Maybe it's because Reagan had his own memories of the war, although he did not personally experience combat (he was disqualified because of his astigmatism but got involved in training and education films). But President Obama was eloquent and spoke for all of us today. As we look at the faces of the remaining heroes below, I'm sure that they are reflecting not on themselves but on the ultimate sacrifice of their fallen companions and buddies. May God bless all of those whom participated in that struggle, including the family and friends left behind.
Photo property of Agence France-Presse
