D-Day 2012

This is a day early and was written by Damian "Lou" Vidal class of 1978.

68 years ago to the day young American men landed on and behind a beach in Normandy France. They were there to liberate France and in turn the world from the darkness that was Nazi Germany. They were young and strong and full of life yet many made the ultimate sacrifice so that we could live in a free and prosperous world. As a child I watched movies about this time and its patriotic emotion and as kids we often emulated these rnen by playing war in the woods where we had do or die battles with the Nazis. But we never reaiiy understood the sacrifices these men, women and even children made during the war. We never comprehended how they stood on the edge of a precipice and looked into the abyss. We baby boomers were lucky to have grown up when we did beca use we enjoyed the fruit of those sacrifices never realizing that our Dad's had endured the trauma of war and never complained about it. We never understood how they faced death straight on and came through its dark hold. We never realized the strength of will and commitment that it took to face the Germans and Japanese, the two greatest military powers of their day and believe that they could be beaten. The term the Greatest Generation is a well deserved title. These were people who grew up in a depression, fought a World War and won and then carne home to create the greatest economic boorn even experienced. These were men, women, and children with an internal fortitude and work ethic that barely exist these days. These were our parents.

While traveling for work I stayed in a hotel where it just so happened that they were having a D-Day reunion of men who had landed on Normandy beach in 1944. While waiting for the elevatori stood next to an elderly gentleman with a cane who along with a younger man was also waiting on the elevator. The older man wore a red cap which read OMAHA BEACH D-DAY 1944. Being a history buff, l knew what had happened at OMAHA BEACH. lf you’ve ever see SA\/ING PRIVATE RYAN, you will also know what happened at that landing. I went up to the older gentleman and stupidly asked "\Nhere you on OMAHA?" The gentleman answered with a simple "yes sir". I stuck out my hand and said "then I would like to shake your hand and say thank you, Sir"Despite being in his eighties, the man shook my hand firmly and nodded affirmatively. I looked at the younger man and saw tears in his eyes. I realized that this was his son and I also realized how proud he was of his father.

When we were very young we saw our fathers as heroes, they were super men able to do it all. As we grew up and arrogantly told ourselves that we knew everything about everything we began to see our Dads as regular men, some with flaws. Now that we are older and many of our father's have passed we realize just how courageous these men had been. They had shown courage not only in facing bullets and Nazis but also in facing up to their responsibilities in life. They worked hard and prospered. They put a roof over their children’s head and made sure they had everything they needed. They overcame setbacks and illnesses and endured. They truly were supermen. So on this day and to all those men who lived through that time, I would like to symbolically shake your hand and say Thank you. It is the very least I can do.