Cup of Inspiration

Today is June 6^th. Eighty years ago today, young men embarked on a harrowing journey filled with fear and unbelievable loss. Many of the young men who participated in D-Day would not see the sunset that day, because their time on this Earth had come to an end. Many others would survive but would be left with memories that would haunt them to their dying day. Their memories of the horrific sights, sounds, and smells from that day when they saw so much death would shape their lives when they came back home.

The men that day lost their youth, and many lost their lives. Why? Why go through such a horrendous time? What was the point?

The point was during that same time, there were many others who were losing their freedom and lives. Millions of people, including six million Jews, lost their lives in the death camps. These evil inventions by the Nazis showed how low men can go to bring in death and destruction for their own pleasure. The Nazis celebrated the death and fear they inflicted on their victims, and their thirst for more blood could not be quenched. They desired to spread their terror as far as their resources allowed.

Millions of people cried out for freedom. Freedom, however, is extremely expensive, requiring the price of blood. The price for these millions to gain freedom required others to lose their lives. Too often, people feel they can simply expect their freedom. Life does not work that way.

Throughout history, we see where men and women have stood up to sacrifice their safety, their freedom, and even their lives, for the sake of others. Sadly, after the passing of enough time, people forget what was at stake. The stories become just something to study for a history test, or an interesting plot for a movie. People forget these stories involve real men and women, who had real dreams for their future, who felt real fear, but put their desires to the side for the sake of saving others.

When remembering D-Day, please do not take it lightly. Do not dismiss the retelling of that day as ancient history that does not impact us today. The events of that day led to millions of people eventually gaining their freedom. Those people were able to go on and have families, families who never would have seen the light of day if it had not been for the sacrifices of those men on D-Day.

Today, let us remember to thank those who have sacrificed themselves so others could be free.