I love my country

June 5, 2022

Good morning my friends.  I hope you are doing well and enjoying life.  Here we are, it’s already the first Sunday of June.  Tomorrow, June 6^th, the world will commemorate the 78^th anniversary of D-Day.  I honored Memorial Day last week, so it’s fitting that I pay tribute to all the men and women who served during this world altering and profound time.  This event is not only an important part of American history, but it is a significant day for the world.  I honor the memories of all those who participated, fought and died to keep our world safe and free.  World War II created death, tragedy, sorrow, and destruction; while it challenged world freedom   America and our Allies united, bonding together, for all mankind, to defeat the global threat posed by Hitler; while we also fought the Japanese in the Pacific.  Without the valiant efforts and sacrifice of so many, our world could have been a very different place.  Please remember and preserve these individuals, and their memories, in your heart forever.  Cherish life, as we live in the freedom they provided.  There are so many amazing things I love about my country.  There are a few things I don’t care for that happen here, but nothing in life will ever be perfect.  Hopefully, together, we can fix some of those critical issues.  Now is the time we need to bring back the morals and values we hold most dear.  These traits are the fabricate of our society.  Many of these special qualities established our nation as a world power.  Do not allow our nation to decay any further.  If you love this country, as I do, stand together with me to transform it into the amazing America I remember.

I often wonder how many people, both here at home or around the world, remember these important dates in history.  My observations lead me to believe many individuals are so caught up in their own life events, they have no time for anything (or anyone) else.  People are in such a hurry these days.  Respect, cordial greetings and manners are sometimes lost in the chaos.  People race from point A to point B, never taking the time to enjoy or savor what they are passing by.  I’ve discovered that the more I slow myself down, the more new things appear for me to enjoy in life.  I don’t need a large screen TV, the latest cell phone or social media to show or tell me what’s important in life.  The best part of living, is enjoying my time with family, friends and the people I love.  Whenever I spend time in nature, I recognize the significance and meaning of life.  When I allow my brain to slowdown and I control my thoughts, it reveals the answers I’ve been searching for, but wasn’t taking the time to recognize.  Life will continue to speed by, unless you make a conscience effort to enjoy each moment as you experience it.  Stay present, remembering where we came from and where we want to go.  Now, more than ever, I want to pay tribute to the valiant men and women of the “Greatest Generation.”   My Dad lived in the midst of these turbulent years.  These individuals grew up, lived and fought to survive during extremely difficult times.  When Hitler set out to dominate the world and destroy entire cultures, brave individuals from all walks of life didn’t hesitate to answer the call to arms.  They believed it was their duty to serve and to protect the rights and freedoms, of our nation and the world.    

The construction of the Atlantic Wall, between 1942 – 1944, was Hitler’s priority after the Nazis invaded and occupied much of Western Europe.  The coastal defensive structure of fortifications, stretched nearly 2,400 miles.  It began near the Scandinavian border on the north, extending to the border of France and Spain on the south.  Hitler knew Allied forces would be coming, but he didn’t know where or when, so he did all he could to deter their ability to suppress his domination over Europe.  The German army had approximately 50,000 soldiers along the Normandy coast.  They were heavily armed and waiting.  The launch of this invasion, onto European soil, would ultimately save the world from Nazi rule.  Nearly 160,000 American and Allied forces took part in the assault that day.  They utilized 3,000 ships for the assault.  Five beaches were assaulted along a 50-mile front.  Each of the landing zones were treacherous and deadly.  The loss of life was brutal and horrific, but the determination and tenacity for our troops never faltered.  At the end of the first week the number of troops doubled.  Allied forces landed 50,000 vehicles and 100,000 tons of equipment.  By the end of June, over 850,000 soldiers and 150,000 vehicles had entered France at Normandy.  I can only imagine the magnitude of this undertaking; including planning, coordination and execution of this operation.  It was a massive effort, with soldiers, vehicles, equipment and transportation across the English Channel to the Normandy beaches.  We breached the Atlantic Wall defenses and began a bloody march across Europe to Germany.  The downfall of Hitler and the Nazi army were inevitable.  Germany would ultimately surrender a year and a half after the D-Day invasion.   

I had the honor and privilege to visit Omaha Beach and the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, located in Colleville-sur-Mer, France.  The cemetery overlooks the beautiful coastline next to Omaha Beach.  It’s the resting place of nearly 10,000 graves of American war dead.  Many of these men died during the landing and ensuing operations.  Similar to Arlington National Cemetery, which is nestled next to the Potomac River; the Normandy American Cemetery sits on pristine, immaculate and hallowed grounds.  The French people are grateful and take loving care of this revered earth.  As I walked through the exquisitely maintained site, I felt the presence of the souls who perished that day.  Their energy is real, while their power and sadness are deeply felt.  I experience similar feelings when I visit my Dad at Arlington.  Death may bring an end to the physical body, but the energy of the soul is eternal.  Instead of me giving you a history lesson, I suggest you take a little time and read about D-Day.  It will either refresh your memory, as to the events that transpired or it will provide new knowledge of how our way of life was saved.  Better yet, go and visit the beaches and cemetery of Normandy.  The experience will change your outlook on life.  Either way, I highly recommend you take time to seek knowledge and truth.  I find reading and learning about past events, especially those of major significance, very important to sustain my ability to move forward into the future.  I never want our world to regress into past situations or circumstances.  We seem to teeter back and forth, sometimes precariously close to the edge of evil.  Knowledge is power, and knowing about the past will assist us in living a positive and happy future.  Take a moment today to say a prayer of thanks, expressing your gratitude for our freedom.  The valor and heroic actions of the thousands who saved our world should be held in our hearts and minds forever.  My Dad was among the brave souls who landed on Omaha Beach, traversed France, Belgium, Luxemburg and into Germany.  I honor and thank him, and thousands of other soldiers who fought, and those who died, to preserve our freedom.  Thank you to all our Allies who stood together with us through those dark years.  Let’s continue to support each other now.  2044 will mark the 100^th anniversary of the D-Day invasion.  A time capsule will be opened at the site that day, revealing memories and memorabilia.  I hope I’m still here to witness this event and the contents of the capsule.  For now, my friends: Follow your dreams.  They know the way.

Please tune in and join me again next Sunday for more!  The puzzle of life is always changing.  Change can lead to amazing opportunities.  Together, let’s be healthy and strong; mentally, physically and spiritually! 

Thanks for your love and support!  Embrace Life!  Be sure to get outside and enjoy nature!