In June 1944, Allied forces began their assault not only on the beaches of Normandy, but on Nazism itself. Dubbed Operation Overlord, the amphibious exercise is legendary as the extraction of France from German control and the beginning of the end of Adolph Hitler’s plans for a thousand year reign of his Aryan master race. The death tolls were staggering on the initial day of the operation. Thousands of Americans gave the greatest sacrifice in the name of freedom. I’m not sure what they were thinking as they left their respective vessels and waded the water towards those beaches, but I wonder how many of them thought about Thomas Jefferson and the words “All men are created.”
Their sacrifices on June 6, 1944 changed everything. Not only did Operation Overlord begin the push towards Berlin but at home it raised the public’s awareness of the sacrifices necessary to protect Jefferson’s immortal words. Tom Brokaw would later claim that generation as America’s “greatest.” I’m okay with that. But I understand that many of the greatest generation believed blacks should be second-class citizens. It was WWII and the sacrifices of both white and black servicemen that led President Harry Truman to integrate the military. This generation also believed that the Civil Rights and anti-war movements of the 1960s were unpatriotic. The “silent majority” wanted a return to what they perceived were the “good ole days.” I’m sorry, but for the black community the “good ole days” are synonymous with the Jim Crow era. Believe me when I say that not one person in the black community wants to return to the “good ole days.”
Nonetheless, the efforts given and the sacrifices made on that day 75 years ago should be celebrated and the servicemen given the respect they deserve. It’s a daunting feeling to raise your right hand and promise to defend this country from its enemies, domestic and foreign. So many have done so and they deserve every ounce of respect this country can bestow upon them. Many servicemen never see conflict, but they know that when asked they will sacrifice whatever is necessary to complete the mission.
Thousands assigned to Operation Overlord made that sacrifice. We wouldn’t be here if they hadn’t. Thanks.
Later.
Sacrifice – something given up or surrendered, usually for the sake of a better cause.