D-Day Arguably America’s Finest Moment

While WWII in actually lasted a total of 7 years and United States involvement was a total of 4 years the stories, movies, books and influence of those times has lasted for decades. So what is it about WWII and specifically D-Day that demands such attention and emotionally moves the World?

I would suggest that D-Day represents America’s finest moment. The corner stone of FDR’s decision to enter into a war on another Continent was not exclusively for our own homeland protection but included the needs of our allied brothers (England & France). The overall strategy in conjunction with the events and the time went to the core of American values. Duty, Honor and Country under God. America spoke in terms of personal value systems and defined what was right or wrong. American’s from Seattle to Miami, from Maine to LA believed it was simply “wrong” for a fascist dictator to over-run neighboring countries and control society’s by imposing marshal law and removing their God given rights. Extermination of an entire race was wrong and Americans throughout the country (yes, God acknowledged Judaic-Christian beliefs) were united on this premise. Average American’s in the 1930’s and 1940’s cherished the premise that we were a free society and embraced the conviction of coming to arms for the protection of ourselves as well as others.

The additional requirements of D-day would have to involve all of America’s resolve. The Strategy would include calculated losses on the part of American Family’s both economical and personal. The Strategy will also include Politics as FDR and Churchill would have to entice Stalin from Russia to break his pact with Hitler. The strategy included facing difficult and an uncertain outcome with uncontrollable weather and bad odds as an accepted part of the D-Day invasion. Again, we should not minimize the knowledge that horrific numbers of Service Men would lose their lives and their families would forever be impacted with grief and further untold hardships. Yet, as a society we agreed to the terms and rallied around not a flag but what that flag represented. They beleived in a better, even divine way of life, something bigger than our own self interests. They beleived in a premise that one man's life was worth giving for the greater good of others. If you dought this, then ask, why? Why would anyone have lauched onto a beach facing the guns that defended it overwelmingly? Why did they not retreat?

I venture to say, by any stretch of today’s standards D-Day would never take place. No Politician or Military General would dare suggest such a bold move. With 24-hours news company’s fighting for ratings and embedded reporters using satellite feeds, cell phone camera’s and computer broadcast servers; the assured transmitted images of the first waves of D-Day blasting "live" into the living rooms of today's techno America would have forced a hasty retreat. The division of values, on-going debate of political needs and political asperations would fragment today’s Nation. Good or Bad, it is safe to say that a Military Attack, secret high-level political negotiations, support of an Ideal based on right & wrong by everyday American’s willing to "take the hit” have concluded.

But to paraphrase a final line from the musical Camelot “for one brief-shining moment there was such a place,” America and American's did not simply posses a philosophical or intellectual agreement of purpose but owned a commitment to purpose. We have all benefited by the commitments of this previous generation and from those who participated in D-day. We will always remember D-day, maybe one day we can regain their commitment.

To all the Service Men and Women of the Armed Forces, to the National Guard's Men and Women to the US Coast Guard of this generation; We thank you for your service! God’s Speed and a hasty return to your Family. For those who have lost family and friends in service to this country– Many thanks from a Humbled and Grateful American.

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