remembering a generation

Normandy, France, is a place that will forever be linked to a day in time:  June 6, 1944.  D-Day.  The day the Allies joined forces and landed on the beaches in Normandy or in the nearby villages by airdrop.  Thousands of brave men risked everything…for what?  Quite simply:  freedom.  Freedom from oppression, freedom from a deranged tyrant, and freedom to live peacefully with one’s family no matter what country you are in.

A recent trip to Utah, Omaha, and Juno Beaches, along with stops in Ste. Mere-Eglise, Arromanches, and Point du Hoc, has given me a renewed perspective of the horrors of war.

A visit to the American Military Cemetery in Normandy was awe-inspiring; looking  across the field of green in which thousands of white stones decorated with small flags marked the sacrifice of individuals, I was reminded of how many gave their lives.  Add to that count those men listed on the wall as missing.

At the beaches, I looked out over the vast expanse of sand into the waters where thousands of ships arrived and tried to imagine how the Rangers climbed the rocks despite being fired at, how the paratroopers floated through the air, unable to control the bullets they could not see, and how soldiers stepped out of their landing craft with very little chance of surviving the long beach.

I cannot imagine.  I wasn’t there.  It is surreal to me.  I cannot fathom what was going through the minds of these men or the minds of their families who had no idea of where their loved ones were at the time.

Those who sit back, listen to the media sound bites, and complain about the monetary costs in these economic times have missed the point.  There is a greater cost than money – the lives of those who leave wives and children, mothers and fathers, friends and dear ones behind.  These men and women cannot be returned to us.  Theirs was the ultimate sacrifice for people they did not know.

Most of us have seen the movies – Band of Brothers, Saving Private Ryan, and the Longest Day.   These movies give us a taste of what occurred in Normandy, each one getting progressively more detailed in the horrors that an earlier generation of soldiers endured.   That generation is just about gone from this earth; each day, another World War II veteran passes into eternity.  It is for us who remain to carry the torch of freedom, to remind others of their sacrifice, to remember that freedom is not an American prerogative, but a right of all people on Earth.

Thank you.  Two simple words, but heartfelt to those who gave their everything for me.

spot the american

As Americans, we are a proud nation – proud of our freedoms, proud of our heritage, and proud of our country and what is represents.  Pride is a good thing – to a point.   Pride can spur us on to continue to do well or pride can go too far and become our downfall.

Americans abroad tend to get the moniker “ugly American” and for good reason.   We tend to be demanding and set our expectations higher than perhaps they should be.  Basically, our pride tells us that America is the world’s leader; therefore everyone wants to be like us.  We think that everyone speaks our language, wears our clothes, and behaves the way we do.  Nothing could be further from the truth and one learns this through travel.

Realization of this fact can come simple by looking at the newspaper.  What Americans focus so much media attentions on – those petty, trivial matters that take up all 24 hours of the news cycle – get very little attention overseas.  Only the important stuff makes it to the world stage, or at least to the front page.   To put things into perspective, read an overseas news site, perhaps the BBC since it is in English.  News that goes on and on for days in the States will warrant one day, maybe two if really good.  Other countries’ needs and considerations are discussed rather than the one-sided one country perspective.

There’s a little game we play – it’s called “spot the American.”   It is really quite simple.  Americans, although told in this day and age to keep a low profile, simple stand out.  Our manner of dress, even down to the types of jeans we wear, gives us away.   If in doubt, then get close enough to hear their speech.   Go into a shop and you see them expect that same selection and service as in the States.  In short, they become impatient and rude.  Thus, the moniker we have as a people.

As we travel through life, let’s determine to leave each place a little better than we found it – whether in cleanliness or by improving the thoughts others have of Americans as a whole.  Be the kind of person you hope to find as you travel.  And remember, you are a guest in their country, therefore, try to behave as a guest – be polite, clean up after yourself, and don’t make demands on your host.