This is D-Day. It happened in 1944, a lot of years ago, a hellish time for the men who landed on the beaches of Normandy. Thousands died, many miles from home; young men who stood between us and tyranny. Because of them, I am able to enjoy watching my grandchildren grow up in a free Nation, the best in the world. But this is not true for many who splashed ashore in the face of enemy fire. D-Day. We must remember.
History is important. If we don’t have an accurate record to look back at, the next generations won’t know the true story of what has happened to bring us where we are today. I am appalled, angry, and sad to see so many monuments taken down. If we don’t like what has happened in the past, taking down monuments won’t change it. It’ll only change a group’s perception of it. And, at last, it’ll be nearly impossible or perhaps illegal, a crime, to own any emblem or book or memento that contradicts the popular narrative.
Why can’t we look at those parts of history we don’t agree with and compare them with where we are today and be grateful for the gains made? What’s the next step after removing monuments? Why, it’s removing the event from history books, of course, or slanting what happened to reflect a certain view.
Somewhere along the way, simply reporting facts has been lost in favor of leaving out facts or changing them or re-arranging them so that they bare scant resemblance to the actuality.
D-Day happened seventy-six years ago today. Then, those beaches where soldiers splashed ashore in the face of withering gunfire, were far from silent. The air was filled with the sounds of gunfire and the screams of dying and wounded young men. Now, the beaches are quiet and peaceful, but they didn’t get that way by accident. The peace was paid for by many lives cut short far from home and loved ones. They paid a tremendous price. The least we can do is remember it accurately.
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