Day recalls sacrifices
on beaches of France
Having just completed the Memorial Day holiday — an especially poignant remembrance given the fact that America finds itself at war in Iraq and Afghanistan today — we turn our attention to Sunday, June 6.
On that day, Americans will mark the 60th anniversary of the Allied invasion of France — D-Day — which launched the push into Europe that eventually resulted in the defeat of Nazi Germany and victory in Europe in World War II.
We recall and honor the sacrifice made by the men who stormed five beaches that morning in the face of withering fire from German soldiers dug into the cliffs.
Empty helmets in the water told those men who followed the first wave of the attack that many of their fellow soldiers never made it to the beach.
Those who survived the initial push from the water to land found themselves in a living hell of fire and resistance. With their minds set on the task at hand, they pushed forward, not knowing the fate that would await them that day and in the days to come.
Thousands of American soldiers died on the beaches of France and found their final resting place there.
We can only hope that in another place, the men who did not come home know that their countrymen regard them as heroes of the first order.
Many of the men who survived D-Day and their action in World War II came home and remained largely silent for the better part of the next half-century. They did only what was asked of them on that morning and did not talk about their accomplishments.
It is not uncommon to hear the families of some war veterans say that they never knew precisely what their husbands and fathers did "over there."
We are proud that some local veterans of D-Day have honored us with the details of their service. Their stories are told in today’s edition. They did not ask for special attention today, just as they did not ask for it 60 years ago.
One lesson to be learned and remembered from war is that average people among us do extraordinary things. The living proof of that is the men who went ashore in France 60 years ago on June 6, 1944. At this late date, but with the utmost respect and appreciation for what they did so many years ago, we say thank you.