Giving Thanks

Almost forty years ago, I stood at the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial, staring at the huge relief maps depicting the war in Europe and the battles in the Ardennes Forest of Belgium and Luxembourg, including the Battle of the Bulge.

On just over 50 acres, more than 5,000 American soldiers are buried there, including 22 sets of brothers, whose final resting place is a reminder of all that was lost during the days of World War II.

Today, June 6, 2024, marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day. After four years of German occupation, the Allied Forces of Canada, Great Britain, and the United States began the assault on the beaches of Normandy. More than 9,000 Allied service members were killed or wounded at the outset but eventually, those who made it up those beaches began the long, hard fight that would bring an end to the war.

General Dwight D. Eisenhower sent a letter to be shared with all the Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Forces, and in closing said:

“And let us all beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.”

While war is something we should do all we can to try and avoid. I pray for all those who have given their lives in service to our nation, and to the world, and brought an end to the hateful regime that reigned in terror. May we never forget those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.