![]() In Remembrance of D-Day – June 6, 1944A Story by Victor D. LopezLike most Americans today, I know only a fictionalized glimpse of the
hell our soldiers encountered upon landing in Normandy on D-Day through
films like Saving Private Ryan and documentaries or reading about the
events that was the beginning of the end of Nazi rule. I did not
personally know any of the brave soldiers who endured the carnage and to
whom I owe the privilege of living in a free country where I can write,
teach, practice law, worship and speak my mind without fear. But
shortly after the release of Saving Private Ryan I had the unexpected
pleasure of speaking with one of the men who stormed Omaha Beach on that
fateful day. I remember the neighbor that owned the property behind mine coming over
to speak to me while I was trimming the long row of hedges that face out
common street. What he came to speak to me about on that day I honestly
don’t remember, but as I took a break and chatted with him, he asked me
if I had seen the new movie, Saving Private Ryan. And I told him my
wife and I had seen it just a few days before and that it had had a very
significant impact on us both. He then grew quiet for a few breaths and
told me “I was there.” He then went on to tell me he was a frog man
(the precursors to the Navy Seals) and recounted the horrific
experience. I listened intently to his opening up about the events he
had witnessed and his part in the war. When he had finished, he said he
had never talked about his experiences openly before but seeing the
movie had brought it all back to him and he felt better for sharing his
story. I shook his hand with tears in my eyes and thanked him for his
service and told him I was very grateful to him and all who served
during the war and honored to shake the hand of a true hero. He then
looked back at me, seeming embarrassed, and wove off my comment, saying
“I’m nothing special. I only finished High School and am not a lawyer
and professor like you.” I responded, still shaking his hand, “Lawyers,
professors and others with degrees and titles after their name are a
dime a dozen. Men and women who served honorably and paid in blood and
personal sacrifice for the freedom we enjoy are priceless, heroes all.” That exchange left me thinking for a long time about our forgotten
soldiers in all wars. I think Saving Private Ryan was cathartic for my
neighbor who has since passed away. But his part in the Normandy
Invasion -- along with that of all allied soldiers, too many of whom never
returned home, or returned grievously scarred for life -- endures. There
are far too few left alive whom we can thank in person for their service
in Europe or in the Pacific during World War II. But their legacy will
never die. As we see the grave markers tomorrow on televised coverage
and hear politicians’ speeches, I hope we will all remember that beneath
each simple white cross lies someone whose life was cut short to
preserve our freedom here at home and in all countries occupied by
tyrants. We do not know their stories, or the emptiness and pain felt by
their families back home. What we do know and should never forget is
the debt of honor we owe to them that can never be fully repaid. May God
bless them all and all who fought and fight for freedom with honor on
D-Day and every day.
© 2024 Victor D. Lopez |
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Added on June 5, 2024 Last Updated on June 5, 2024 Author![]() Victor D. LopezCoram, NYAboutI am a lawyer, professor of legal studies and author. My professional writing is primarily non fiction (law-related textbooks, reference books on mostly legal topics, articles in peer-reviewed law jou.. more..Writing
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