D-Day, The Cost of Defending Liberty
Honored to Share my Birthday
President Biden during the D-Day commemoration near Normandy, France
Today marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
On this day in 1944 the combined forces of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand landed on the beaches of Normandy, dealing a fatal blow to Nazi Germany. During the landings Allied forces were met by intense resistance from Nazi forces and would spend the following weeks securing the territory around the beachhead. The D-Day landing, known as “Operation Overlord”, resulted in tens of thousands of Allied casualties and remains the largest amphibious operation in history.
Barbed wire over the beaches of Normandy today, picture from my visit in July 2022.
I think a lot about D-Day. Beyond sharing my birthday with the event, I know that D-Day is an example of the United States’ willingness to defend liberty and the cost that comes with such a commitment for America and the world. I think about how Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and creeping growth of far-right political parties has shown that the shadow of tyranny again hangs over us. I think about how as our president meets with the few remaining veterans of the landing in honor of their sacrifice, right-wing media outlets continue to demonize immigrants and stoke outrage among their audience.
Beyond being a turning point for the liberation of Europe and World War II, D-Day should be seen as Americans paying the ultimate price to secure freedom at home and abroad. President Biden’s speech in France today included the phrase “let us be worthy of their sacrifice” - I hope future generations look back on the United States today and see a society––a beneficiary of the sacrifice of the greatest generation––that rises to the occasion to protect the inheritance of freedom and liberty so dearly purchased on D-Day.
American Cemetery in Normandy, France
To view these pictures and read your words, it is unfathomable that the possibility of losing our Democracy, and the promise of America, actually exists. It makes me feel sick just to think of it.
I am immensely grateful to those who fought to save freedom, and those who died in it's defense. In every campaign our country has engaged in, it is our veterans who deserve our respect.
I only hope Americans come to the polls with humility in November, and vote to hold onto what those brave men and women fought and died for.
Happy birthday to you, and thank you again for your dedicated service to us and our country.
They truly are The Greatest Generation who sacrificed to fight in WWII, in defence industry factories and/or to look after loved ones in our communities. They also rebuilt the destroyed communities of former enemies. Remarkable!!
A similar commitment is required now with the rising spectre of Fascism. Vote folks!! Our freedom depends upon it.