On this Memorial Day that just passed, we paused to honor the brave men and women who sacrificed their lives for our freedom. It was a day of reflection, gratitude, and remembrance, a time to acknowledge the profound debt we owe to those who have served and fallen.
War galvanizes the will, burns away the dross, and focuses the mind, and with the confrontation of death, ideals are transformed into the real. As the amphibious boats, under an overcast sky, bounced and hummed through the English Channel’s waters approaching the shores of Normandy, about to face German pillboxes, something epic occurred: genuine heroism emerged, and the American nation found its character.
In that defining moment, Latino-Americans, Irish-Americans, Italian-Americans, Polish-Americans, Jewish-Americans, and others were united. They were simply Americans, parts of one nation, bound by the values of freedom and the legacy of the Constitution in opposition to tyranny—first in the form of Nazism, and later communism in the Cold War, the unfinished business of World War II.
Homer's Iliad speaks of heroes rising amidst the grim reality of war, devoid of glamour but essential for survival. War is tragic, a last resort, a humbling endeavor. My own uncles told me these stories, which I now tell my son and nephews. Yet, I wonder, has our national identity been obscured by social engineering and uncontrolled immigration? Could our modern generation muster the resolve to defend their homeland as fervently as those who stormed Normandy?
The Normandy invasion is the eternal film clip, the moments that capture American vitality and what we live and die for, and are willing to sacrifice. These stories, even mythologized as we remember them, akin to the Gospels, must be told. Yet, they are not. I lament that on Memorial Day, 85% of companies now operate on what should be a "holy" day. This day should be one of the holiest, marked even by benign acts of barbecues, flag-waving and shared gratefulness.
We must remind those who disregarded Memorial Day’s sanctity for private gain that a nation's strength lies in the sacred memories of the dead and the respect for their legacy. As we honor our fathers and mothers, so should we honor the soldiers defending our freedoms. June 6th, or any day, is a day to honor veterans who landed on foreign shores to ensure we can enjoy barbecues, wave flags, and live freely as Americans.
The valor displayed on Normandy's beaches is a testament to the undying American spirit. It was a convergence of diverse backgrounds united in a singular national purpose. Their collective sacrifice is the foundation of our freedoms today. The stories of Normandy should serve as a reminder of what it means to be American and the price of liberty, as should the white tombstones lining Normandy.
On D-Day, June 6, 1944, over 156,000 Allied troops landed on the beaches of Normandy, facing fierce resistance from entrenched German forces. More than 4,000 Allied soldiers lost their lives that day, with thousands more wounded or missing. Their courage and sacrifice paved the way for the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi occupation.
As time passes, the importance of these memories only grows. They anchor our national identity and guide our values. Forgetting them means losing a part of who we are, and our sacred legacy. Memorial Day is not just a holiday but a day of profound significance. It is a time to reflect on the sacrifices made but also to renew our commitment to the values those sacrifices represent today.
In this age of increasing division and shifting values, the story of Normandy stands as a beacon. It calls us back to a time when unity and common purpose prevailed. It reminds us that our freedoms are hard-won and must be cherished. As we honor those who gave their lives, let us also strive to embody the principles they fought for—freedom, unity, and unwavering resolve.
Normandy's legacy is a powerful narrative of heroism and sacrifice. It is an American Iliad, a story that must be told and retold, especially to new generations. Through these stories, we preserve the essence of our nation. Let us honor that legacy, not just on Memorial Day but every day, by living in a way that reflects the values for which so many fought and died. As we remember the past, let it inspire us to uphold the freedoms and values that define us as a nation.
Learn more about Robert Orlando's books and film from his bio or his website.