June 6th Marks The 80th Anniversary Of D-Day Landings

In France, June 6th will mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day landings during World War II. I imagine young soldiers with so much life ahead of them, facing the battle straight on, fighting for their countries to protect the citizens, not thinking about themselves but focused on their commitment to serving and protecting. How can we ever repay the soldiers who died fighting, how can we make their families whole again, what about the children left without fathers? We can’t repay them for their courageous acts, every single one, down to the last soldier on the ships and ground. 

We can acknowledge, and celebrate their lives and thank them for their sacrifices. Without our allies and their military capabilities we would live in a very different world and one I hope to never see. My heart overflows with sadness, joy, and forever gratefulness. 

All the countries that fought to abolish Hitler and his unspeakable crimes saved so many Jews and ultimately many other lives who now live in freedom. The concentration camps, the torture, and the sheer evil are a reminder to all that there is evil out there and we must fight to protect the innocent and for freedom for all. 

Let’s come together. Put our political and religious differences aside to celebrate and give thanks to those who gave all and those who survived to tell their stories. The story of each individual is important, as is the reason for the war. Never forget the reason behind each war, learn from it, celebrate our heritage, accept one another, and above all else help each other heal.

I celebrate my Gramps for his commitment to our country during WWII, like most who experience wartime trauma, he didn’t share much but I saw the pride in his eyes. He was a proud man and I’m blessed to have had him in my life. He was so young in this photo, and he was decorated with many medals over his career including a Bronze Star which he kept in his dirty toolbox. It was not the medals that made him the man he was. He didn’t want a military funeral but I couldn’t agree, he deserved the respect. I’m so thankful that during a time of war, Fort Hood in Texas found enough soldiers to send him home properly. 

I picked this song because these women keep the spirit alive.

Wartime choir The D-Day Darlings DAZZLE the Judges! | Auditions | BGT 2018

Melinda