D-Day 1944

Seventy-one years ago today what came to be known as "The Liberation of Europe" began.

It happened at a place called Omaha Beach. The farthest thing from Nebraska and the Cape as anyone could imagine. The name must have seemed like a good idea to somebody.

It was a Tuesday and the men in the boats had not slept since Sunday, June 4th.

Tens of thousands of young American soldiers became men that day. It was their best day and their worst day all at the same time.

But the sights, the sounds, the smell, the goosebumps from being cold and wet and the sweat and heart pounding anxiety from the indescribable carnage unfolding around them was the very definition of sensory overload.

It's a wonder any of them had the courage to get off the beach that morning . . . but they did.

And then they went on to quite literally liberate Europe; came home and re-built the country [and the world]; got married; had kids and always tried to do the right thing.

Any of the men who were there that day are near the end of the road now. And they're the least afraid of anyone among us. They've already walked through the valley of the shadow of death.

It's become a cliché but one that exists because it's true . . . we owe a debt of gratitude that can never really be paid to them and to every man and woman who's had the courage to put on the uniform and walk in their footsteps everyday since.

God bless every one of them.

Consider helping the newest generation of silent heroes with a gift to the Wounded Warriors Project.