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By the end of the first day, more than 12,000 Allied soldiers had been killed or wounded

Today, the anniversary of D-Day, June 6, 1944, is an especially appropriate time for shining the light a little longer on the relevance or value of Memorial Day as a proper way of honoring those who sacrificed their lives defending or advancing freedom. Memorial Day, in our time, is a day in which we honor all those men and women in uniform who gave their lives for their country, or for the cause of freedom in other countries, throughout any period of our history. So, it is especially fitting that the heroes on D-Day, as well as those who made the ultimate sacrifice during WWII, deserved to be remembered on Memorial Day, as well other moments of opportunity, such as the commemoration of D-Day.

By the end of the first day, more than 12,000 Allied soldiers had been killed or wounded, and many thousands more died that month as the Allies secured Normandy. But, for many of those, their first day in battle was their last. While many young Americans volunteered for military service after the attack at Pearl Harbor, far too many never made it home again. So many went off to Europe to fight against Hitler and the National Socialists who had taken over most of Europe by 1941. Those men gave their lives that freedom could survive, and that others would be freed from tyranny.

The people of Normandy declare, “we will never forget,” and they never have. There are few left who were there, but the memories have been passed on, and the world should never forget the ones who lost their lives on the beaches of Normandy on that day.

The assault on the beaches at Normandy was an incredibly complex effort. It was part of a three-pronged thrust to push the German troops back within the borders of German territory. It was the third prong after the Russians had been fighting for so long on the Eastern Front. With Rome secured in the south of Europe, D-Day was the effort to open a third front to force the German military back to their homeland. It was one of the most crucial moments in WWII.

Largest amphibious military invasion in world history

D-Day began in the wee morning hours of June 6, 1944, and climaxed with the largest amphibious military invasion in world history. This all-out invasion against entrenched Nazi military forces spread across 50 miles of French coastline at Normandy. It was an act of desperation, but it was also an act of daring. D-Day proved to be a pivotal moment of the war in Europe.

“Operation Overlord” — the invasion of Normandy — was the first day of the Allied battle against the Germans in Normandy. It was not just intended to liberate bits of occupied France, though; it represented the initial attack of a more massive and prolonged onslaught against German forces that served to open up a western front in Europe designed to penetrate to the heart of Germany and break the Nazi war machine.

The initial beach assault was code-named “Operation Neptune.” It was not only comprised of the amphibious assault on five Normandy beaches with over 5,000 troop carriers and over 500 minesweepers and support ships; it also included a massive naval bombardment, as well as an airborne assault involving 10,000 Allied aircraft striking at the German defenses, and over 24,000 paratroopers dropped behind enemy lines shortly after midnight, before the dawn coastal landings. “Neptune” actually lasted through the end of June.

According to the D-day museum, “Operation Neptune began on D-Day (June 6th 1944) and ended on 30 June 1944. By this time, the Allies had established a firm foothold in Normandy. Operation Overlord also began on D-Day, and continued until Allied forces crossed the River Seine on 19 August 1944.”

The initial efforts to open this new front against the German stranglehold on most of Europe succeeded, but at great cost: as mentioned, by the end of the first day, more than 12,000 Allied soldiers had been killed or wounded. But on that day, the Allies were able to secure a foothold in French sand. Though the cost for the beachhead was high, taking the beaches enabled over 160,000 soldiers to begin their march across France to take down Adolf Hitler. By the end of the month, that force grew to 39 divisions and over a million men. Operation Neptune managed to crack the powerful Nazi grip on occupied France.

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This Allied thrust was the beginning of the end of the German military machine that would collapse in less than a year

General Dwight D. Eisenhower was the Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Forces that unleashed this massive, cross-channel, frontal invasion of the German positions in Northern France. He had been a proponent of such a direct assault as early as 1942, but faced opposition from the British who feared a re-run of the devastating trench warfare of World War I. Eisenhower’s ideas were finally accepted by the Allied command on January 15, 1944. When he gave the orders to commence the attack, he revealed genuine hope for a victorious outcome:

“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. Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped, and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely … 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. Good luck, and let us all beseech the blessings of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.”

This complicated, yet meticulously planned, initial thrust of Operation Overlord proved successful, and by the end of June, 1944, Allied troops had established complete control of Normandy beaches. They fought their way across the River Seine by August 19, 1944, at   which time Operation Overlord ended by accomplishing the objective of driving deep into Nazi- controlled France before the end of the summer. This Allied thrust was the beginning of the end of the German military machine that would collapse in less than a year.

Although D-Day belongs to history, and although the old soldiers are fading into the shadows, it is wise to remember this Day and the deeds of that generation. The brave men and boys who hit the beaches of Normandy made great sacrifices, not only on June 6, but also throughout the war, and even after the war. Their awesome sacrifice during the most devastating war in human history changed the world. They truly deserve to be remembered and to serve as an example of courage and willingness to sacrifice for us in this dark time.