On the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings, a powerful tribute to the soldiers who stormed the beaches includes a series of silhouettes etched in the sand. The story explores the enduring legacy of service and sacrifice, and its relevance to the challenges of today's society.
In commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the 1944 D-Day landings, 80 silhouettes of soldiers were etched in the sand on a beach in Broadstairs, United Kingdom. The poignant tribute serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who fought for freedom during one of the most pivotal battles in history.
My father's service on D-Day 80 years ago was a remote and abstract concept for me until I witnessed Steven Spielberg's "Saving Private Ryan." The film's graphic depiction of the Omaha Beach landings brought the horrors of that day into vivid focus. I could suddenly envision my father, just 18 years old, landing with the first wave at Utah Beach and fighting for the next month, until a German bullet pierced his helmet and nearly ended his life.
When I called him after seeing the film, I asked him how he had managed to face imminent death as he left the landing craft. His simple answer was, "It was my duty, son."
Duty, as my father understood it, was an unwavering commitment to service above self. This guiding principle was instilled in him and his generation, who have rightly been labeled "the greatest." Their service and sacrifice paved the way for the freedoms and prosperity we enjoy today.
But the notion of duty is not confined to a single generation. It is a timeless ideal that can inspire us to overcome the challenges of our own era. One of the most pressing issues of our time is how to bridge the widening gap between past and present generations.
Americans today are more disconnected from our history, more dismissive of its lessons, and less appreciative of its gifts than ever before. This disconnect has led to a fragmented and entitled society, blind to the risks of a world run amok.
A renewed commitment to service above self can serve as an antidote to this societal malaise. By serving others, we come to appreciate the service of those who have come before us. This gratitude is not merely sentimental; it allows us to understand the cost of war and the preciousness of peace. It compels us to connect the past with the present and to remain vigilant in the ongoing struggle between freedom and tyranny.
Gratitude also weaves together the fabric of our nation. My family emigrated from England to America following World War I, and I am indebted to the centuries of Americans who have served this country to make it prosperous and free.
I often reflect on the patriots who fell in the fields surrounding my home in Pennsylvania during George Washington's defeat at the Battle of Brandywine in 1777. What were their thoughts as they lay wounded, contemplating their sacrifice and the future of their fledgling nation?
One might argue that the sacrifices of D-Day and other great battles are no longer relevant in today's more complex world. However, morality has always been a murky area. The wounded young men of the German Wehrmacht, whom my father guarded but also cared for and bonded with, found themselves in a similar moral quandary.
The difference between their situation and my father's lay in the principles of the nations they fought for. America is not perfect, but that is all the more reason to work tirelessly to preserve, improve, and share our culture of freedom and democracy.
The tangible threats America faces today are significant. As Secretary of the Navy, I witnessed firsthand the growing military capabilities of China. We have never been in a situation where a near-peer competitor is as strong and well-equipped.
On anniversaries such as D-Day, as we walk through the immaculate military cemeteries cared for by the American Battle Monuments Commission, it is natural to wonder if America is still capable of such depth of service and devotion. I have no doubt that our younger generations are capable.
The young troops I served alongside in Iraq displayed the same resilience and dedication as their predecessors. Before we are called upon to put aside internecine quarrels and face a common enemy, I hope Americans will remember the lessons of the past.
The story of D-Day is the story of ourselves and the nation we live in. As such, it is a constant reminder of our duty to serve others and to put service above self.
