Monday, May 27 is Memorial Day.  This year marks the 80th anniversary of the start of the liberation of Europe on June 6, 1944, also known as D-Day.

As part of my “job”, I have had the opportunity to visit the Normandy Invasion Beaches several times a year for the past 15 years.

A tour of the beaches, cemeteries and battle sites is my way of paying tribute to the acts of bravery and valor our heroes displayed on June 6, 1944.  It helps in understanding and appreciating the events surrounding that fateful day.  When in Normandy, I stand in the sand on Omaha Beach, staring in awe at the same cliffs where enemy guns and mortars were zeroed in, waiting for the liberators to arrive.  On that morning 80 years ago, the landing craft doors dropped into the surf and the young men were given the command to “go! go! go!”.  Despite facing brutal fire and resistance, it was with great bravery and at the cost of many lives lost, they accomplished the mission of neutralizing the enemy.  Everyone who stands on the beaches today always asks, “how did they do it?”.

On top of the cliffs at Omaha Beach is the American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer.  Here, 9,388 white crosses and Stars of David are perfectly aligned on immaculately manicured grounds.  They of course, mark the final resting place of those who sacrificed all they could.  It can be difficult to describe the feelings of pride, sadness, patriotism, and most of all gratitude as the grounds of the cemetery are walked.   It is here I always ask myself, “why did they do it?”.   But I know the answer.   They did it so that we may enjoy the life and freedoms that we have today.  And for that, I am eternally grateful.