Dear Editor:
As we go to the shore this summer, let’s remember those young men that went to the beach some 60 years ago. Unfortunately, they weren’t going to the Jersey Shore. In fact, it was a terrible day for the beach but they went anyway. It was cold and windy, and it was raining. They didn’t have umbrellas, beach chairs or even suntan lotion. What they did have were rifles, helmets and lots of courage. The beach wasn’t Long Branch, it was Normandy Beach in France.
On the beach they didn’t get sunburned, they got shot, they lost their legs, their eyes, their arms and even their lives. Some of our troops parachuted into France, many missing the drop zone by miles because of strong winds. Most died before ever hitting the ground. The day that these young men went to the beach will forever be remembered as “D Day”, June 6, 1944.
Some historians have called this the worst planned military operation in history, while others have said it was one of the most successful military operations ever. We bombed heavily populated cities, killing thousands of innocent men, women and children. Not one member of Congress or the US Senate criticized President Roosevelt or General Eisenhower.
The American people supported our President, the military commanders and all the troops. During nearly four years of fighting we lost 291,557 lives and over 400,000 were wounded, many seriously. The support of the American people never faded throughout the war. World War II was fought in far-off countries so it wouldn’t have to be fought on the streets in this country.
On September 11, 2001 we lost over 3,000 men, women and children, not in four years, nor in four hours. We lost these innocent men, women and children in less than two hours. They weren’t lost because of war; they were lost because they were murdered by terrorists.
Today again we’re fighting in far-off countries trying to prevent another 9/11. However, today it’s different; some of our Senators and Congressmen/women are giving aid and comfort to the enemy by their blatant criticism of the war and our President. Never mind the effect it has on the moral of the men and women of our Armed Services. These young men and women are doing the same thing that our fathers did before us, fighting for the oppressed people in a far-off country as we have in previous wars. Let’s not forget, Hitler was defeated because the American people supported our President and our Military, just think about it…Freedom Isn’t Free.
Sorry is a nation that has no heroes. Sorrier yet is a nation that forgets its heroes.
God Bless America.
Tom Kennedy, Commander
American Post 107
Hoboken