JUNE 6, 1944

I was three years old. But what happened on that day has affected me and everybody else in this world. The readers of this blog know clearly the meaning of “D-Day.” I am troubled though by how many people, mostly younger people, who don’t really know or understand the meaning of this most important date in the history of the world.

We should thank God for men like General Dwight D. Eisenhower and for his foresight and genius in the planning and implementation of this historic invasion of Europe. He knew a lot of people would never return. He knew he was sending young people to their death. But he also knew what was at stake.

D-Day was the beginning of the end of Adolf Hitler and his murderous regime. It was the beginning of the end of his arrogant belief that he would rule the world. It was the beginning of the liberation of France, Belgium, England, and all of western Europe. But it came with a huge price tag.

All over Europe blood and body parts were strewn in the cause of freedom. There are cemeteries filled to the brim with the heroes of that great invasion. Some might say, “What a waste of young lives.” Not the older French citizens who to this day celebrate the Allied soldiers who came to their rescue. The huge cemetery at Normandy is chief among the final resting places of American men and women and their allies who gave their all. Many older Europeans still remember and pay their respect.

As I look out on the world of today, I wonder how many young people, especially college students, even know about D-Day. I fear that because they have never known anything but prosperity, peace, and IPhones, they have no idea of the sacrifice that was given that allows them the freedom they enjoy and take for granted. They loll about sipping on a cup of coffee that cost their parents over five dollars contemplating a future of ease and pleasure without a thought as to how this all came about. That is sad.

To me it’s sad that today’s youngsters don’t have to face a military draft. They don’t have to plan their lives around the possibility of a couple of years of conscripted service to their country. If they did, perhaps they might pay closer attention to what freedom costs. If they did, perhaps they might appreciate more what they take for granted. Freedom is not free. If they had to put on the uniform of their country and do their share to insure our freedom continues, they might see us in a different way.

We must never forget the soldiers and sailors who died for our freedom. We must never forget the holocaust where millions of “inconvenient” people were exterminated by a mad man. We must never forget what can happen when good people stand by and let evil take hold. Don’t think for a moment that it could never happen again. It could.

Today’s military stands guard against tyrants and evil doers. Today’s military stands ready to fight or to help. Our WWII veterans have been called the greatest generation and I don’t disagree, but youngsters of today who give up their relative life of ease to enter the service are rapidly becoming the next greatest generation. God bless them all.

Ron Scarbro