History Archives - Uniquelahoma

A Moment in Time

Today we remember a day 75 years ago when principles were put before personal choices, bravery was put forth to face the greatest of fears and sacrifices were made that washed away in the tides of time. It was the day the greatest armada in history was assembled. With 7,000 ships, 10,000 aircraft and over 156,000 souls, this force became one to combat a menace bent on global domination and ultimate destruction. It was a few moments within an infinity where time stopped just long enough to allow righteousness the opportunity to gain a foothold within an evil ideal. Men fell and sank within the swallowing waters gasping and dying as a darkness in humanity blanketed them with destruction. And yet, these men kept fighting the tide, moving forward past the fallen, to give back to others the freedom that had been stolen.

We will never taste the salt water or feel the warmth of blood as it seeps into the sand and water that those men experienced on this day all those years ago. We cannot experience the volatility of life in such moments as those where breath was so easily extinguished. We cannot fathom such a loss where so many die and suffered in only minutes. But today we can remember that there were those who did. We can remember that we speak and live in freedom because a few frightened, yet brave souls gave us the opportunity to know it.

I will never have the chance to meet those who perished on the Normandy Beaches in France on June 6, 1944. And I may never meet any who fought their way through the chaos and survived. But with these words, I can say thank you for what they gave me and the rest of the world. I hope we all take a moment to remember what this day meant to so many others 75 years ago and what it represents still today.