Hard to believe it has been seven years since the 75th anniversary of the Normandy Invasion, an occasion that we witnessed first hand in Duxford, England, and in France, from Deauville to St. Mère Église.
On the days leading up to June 6, we spent solemn times visiting the beaches and cemeteries and museums honoring those who gave all. On June 6th itself, we joined the citizens of St. Mère Église in celebration of the town’s liberation by those joint American, British, Australian, and Canadian troops who made the march inland after securing the coastline.
James and Stephen and I took part in the street festival and watched the parade, and took so much heart in the flags of all of our countries proudly displayed together in solidarity. My deepest hope is that we all find that common ground again, and that it doesn’t take an existential threat and a subsequent world war to bring us to that camaraderie.
A toast to those fallen, and those who survived to tell the tale. Most of those alive during that time have left us to join their brothers and sisters in the sky. But we will never forget.