Over 60 years ago, our young men faced insurmountable odds to begin the liberation of Europe from the totalitarianism of the Nazi’s. Thousands boarded landing craft and planes to attack the evil that had come for us, to ensure it never crossed the oceans to invade our streets, kill our loved ones. A war hung in the balance, no one knew what the end of the day would bring. If we succeeded we were assured of more bloody battles particularly in the homeland of this twisted philosophy, if we failed the world would lose hope and we would face months or years of regrouping to try again at even higher cost while the oppressed people of Europe continued to be subjugated and slaughtered.
We know the outcome today, but take yourself back to the beaches and skies of France, to the time when freedom hung in the balance and the ‘Greatest Generation’ earned, at great cost, that moniker. Grab the hope of victory and the despair of defeat and bring them into your heart as you give thanks to those who gave so much for us, who showed a world that the sacrifices our country made to win World War I were no fluke, they are ingrained in America.
We fight for an ideal, ‘All men are created equal…’ courses through our veins, is the backdrop to our lives. We sacrificed then and we sacrifice now because of our Faith in a God who loves all mankind, who would have us stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves. Freedom is endowed by our Creator for all the peoples of the world and we need to be the ’shining city on the hill’. If we are not, there are no others in this time and place. Whether we accept the mantel or not, it is ours. Without us, the world slides more and more to totalitarianism, whether under the name of Islamo-fascism or Socialism or Communism. Whether we stand our ground or withdraw from the battle, the war for freedom will rage on. If we stand down, it will continue without the one country, the one people that can win it as we won have won freedom for hundreds of millions of folks around the world either through force of arms or threat of arms against dictators since our nation began over two hundred years ago.
Set aside time today to remember the youth of yesteryear who gave away their youth for us. Watch saving ‘Private Ryan’, at least the first hour or so, to understand why we observe today and give thanks to so many who gave so much. Tell a veteran, ‘thank you for your service.’ Ask a soldier, ‘Shipping in or out?’ If they are shipping in, wish them well, let them know they deserve their break. If they are shipping out, tell them, ‘We are with you, thank you for being there for us.’
Freedom has never been free, never will be.
May God bless each of you.
