D-Day: Eternally Honoring America's Courage

America, and all dedicated to freedom throughout the world, must reverently pause on Thursday, June 6, 2024, the 80th anniversary of D-Day. 

On D-Day, good triumphed over evil and the end of World War II began.

D-Day’s anniversary recalls the Western Allies beginning the Invasion of Normandy to free mainland Europe from Nazi occupation. 

Despite suffering heavy casualties, the United States and Allied Forces were victorious. 

America and its allies liberated millions of innocent people being oppressed and murdered by Hitler and the Nazis.

Just prior to the D-Day offensive, the immortal words of Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme Allied Commander, ignited inspiration:

“Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force! … The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty loving people everywhere march with you … you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world. … The tide has turned! The free men of the world are marching together to victory! I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty, and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory!…”

D-Day reminds us of the true meaning of character—individuals who laid down their lives for others and in doing so saved the world.

These heroes must be eternally honored.

D-Day Highlights

 

·        The largest seaborne invasion in history 

·    13,000 Allied paratroopers flown in from nine British airfields in over 800 planes

·         A military armada with over 156,000 troops, 5,000 vessels, and nearly 30,000 vehicles

·         More than 11,000 aircraft

·         More than 300 planes dropping over 13,000 bombs over coastal Normandy prior to D-Day

·         Over 9,000 Allied soldiers dead or wounded by the end of the day of June 6

·         The beginning of Europe’s liberation and the end of World War II—the deadliest military conflict in history that resulted in the loss of 60 million–80 million lives

Honoring American Sacrifices

Before continuing, I am compelled to share experiences my wife and I had visiting both World War II American military cemeteries in Italy in 2023.

We visited these sacred grounds to honor Americans who offered the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.

Respecting our military, and reverence for those who lost their lives in service of our freedom, is an indisputable principle for the reawakening of our nation.  It is also one of my nine Principles of American Policing.

Reflections of these visits are memorialized in the journal I maintained during our travels and are as follows:

June 21, 2023: Florence American WWII Cemetery

“In the afternoon, we traveled from Florence, Italy to the Florence American WWII Cemetery, 7 ½ miles south in Impruneta to honor American hero’s from World War II.

“On these sacred grounds lie 4,393 Americans.

“There is also a large sculptured figure on site titled ‘The Spirit of Peace’ and tablets of 1,409 have their names engraved upon it as missing in action.

“While walking these hallowed grounds, we felt mystically connected these sacred souls, a deeper appreciation of America, and profoundly aware of the price of freedom.”

July 1, 2023: Sicily-Rome American Cemetery

“Today we traveled 1.5 hours by train from Rome to the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery in the town of Nettuno.

“We then walked 25 minutes from the station to the cemetery, morally obligated as Americans to visit both resting places for our World War II heroes.

“These visitations were enriching spiritual experiences forever engraved into our souls.

“Here in Nettuno is the sacred burial ground of 7,858 Americans. Also, in the on-site chapel an additional 3,095 names are engraved into stone. These are the missing in action, lost at sea, or buried at sea.

Leadership Lessons for Today

It is not enough to commemorate D-Day by a momentary recollection. We must take transforming action and resuscitate the character of our nation.

Here are some timeless leadership lessons of this epic historical event critical for America today.

Appreciate Industrial Capacity

D-Day gives us appreciation of America’s industrial capacity and can give us the courage to transform it.

According to historian Stephen E. Ambrose, during the D-Day invasion, and in the days afterward, American GI’s were better equipped than their foe because our vehicles were superior. 

Germany could not compete with America’s two-and-a-half-ton truck or the jeep.

American factories were across the ocean from Normandy while German factories were close at hand. Yet, America received more vehicles and better designed ones to the battlefield in less time.

Our nation must again represent the highest standards of manufacturing that proudly proclaims “Made in America.”

World Is a Family

The world is a family with each person of every nation deserving of dignity, respect, and protection.

America must forever remain faithful to its legacy of compassion for the vulnerable and oppressed. Whenever there is human suffering at home or abroad, America must respond with moral authority in both word and action.

Character Counters Violence

America must reclaim its communities from the appalling culture of violence.

Headlines of horrific acts of violence continue in schools, campuses, movie theaters, malls, communities, homes, and against our police. 

Even sacred places of worship once thought to be sanctuaries of peace are experiencing incidents becoming all too common.

America’s character led to the reclaiming of the tranquility for countless millions on distant shores through the heroic events that began on D-Day.

Our nation can and must also bring security to communities throughout our homeland by resuscitating the character exemplified on D-Day.

In doing so, we shall reawaken the nation.

About the Author

Vincent J. Bove is a national speaker and author on critical American issues. 

Bove authored eighteen cover stories for The Chief of Police and an additional 300 articles in numerous publications. His most recent books are Reawakening America and Listen to Their Cries.

Bove is recipient of the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award, and former confidant for players from two world champion New York Yankee teams.

He served as spokesperson for a coalition of Virginia Tech tragedy victim’s families and authored a report on their behalf.  

Bove has conducted extensive leadership presentations for the FBI, the United States Military Academy, law enforcement, educators, security professionals, and students nationwide.

 “We must all serve as catalysts to protect our workplaces, schools, communities, public spaces, and houses of worship.  Public safety demands ethical leadership, vigilance, and collaboration.  Security demands comprehensive enhancements, on-going training, effective response to warning signs, and building bridges with law enforcement, private security, and every member of the community.”   Vincent J Bove

“Vincent J. Bove is considered one of the foremost national experts on school and workplace violence prevention, specializing in facility protection, evacuations, terrorism prevention and leadership training."    U.S. Senate

Photos:

1. An armada of landing craft, boats, and seagoing vessels are seen delivering infantry supplies during the amphibious assault.  (Universal History Archive / Getty Images)

2. General Dwight D. Eisenhower addresses American paratroopers prior to D-Day and gives the order of the Day. He states "Full victory-nothing less" just before they board their airplanes to participate in the first assault in the invasion of the continent of Europe. General Eisenhower is meeting with US Co. E, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment (Strike) of the 101st Airborne Division.

The photo was taken at Greenham Common Airfield in England about 8:30 p.m. on June 5, 1944. The General was talking about fly fishing with his men.  He always did before a stressful operation. (Eisenhower speaks with Hartsock, Courtesy National Archives)

3. Florence American Cemetery, Impruneta, Italy June 21, 2023 and Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, Nettuno, Italy, July 1, 2023 collage.  (Reawakening America LLC).

4. Liberation Monument, Liberty View Park, Jersey City, NJ. (Reawakening America LLC)

5. American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, a tiny Normandy village. (Courtesy White House)

6. Florence American Cemetery, Impruneta, Italy, June 21, 2023, Vincent and Lily Bove. (Courtesy Reawakening America LLC)