/mdva/assets/2016-06-06-d-day-pic_tcm1066-244311.jpgJune 6 has been remembered for the actions of D-Day for the past 72 years, rather than just another passing day. The day commemorating D-Day have been remembered better than VE-Day (Victory over Europe—May 8, 1945) or VJ-Day (Victory over Japan—Sept. 2, 1945) which are both days of victory and not a day where many casualties were lost from American, British and Canadian forces. So why does June 6, 1944 get remembered more than the Allied Victory in the Second World War? 

A part of the mystique of D-Day is first and foremost the plans that were involved to unite three countries to invade foreign soil and remove tyranny and oppression. These plans had all the makings to go disastrously wrong and be paid for in lives of the countries young Service members. Many casualties did occur and around 10,000 were wounded, but the outcome was one of victory for the Allies. It truly was a ‘day of days’ for those fighting but also for all the Allied countries involved. 

As Americans woke up on June 6, 1944, their sons and daughters had been fighting to liberate Europe by gaining a foothold in Normandy, France. Months of planning, intelligence and counterintelligence led to the greatest air/land/sea assault ever conceived unfolding in the wee-hours of the morning. This morning, 72 years ago. 

Many of our relatives who fought in the war and survived, have since died, but their resolution toward protecting a strong United States of America has not. It is great to relish in victories and in the ending of the second, Great War—but far more important is the need to remember that there can be no victory without those willing to be “free men of the world marching together to victory.”

Quotes from Eisenhower Speech to U.S. Armed Forces on D-Day