D-Day

As we mark the 74th anniversary of D-Day Wednesday – a pivotal day when Allied forces landed in France to begin the liberation of Europe from the Nazis in World War II – I’m reminded how this historical moment wouldn’t have happened without the courageous Americans who responded to the call to serve their country.

Many of us know about D-Day through films like “Saving Private Ryan.” But no film has ever told the story of another great battle that took place that day.

Today, June 6, marks the 73rd anniversary of D-Day, when Allied forces stormed the beaches of Normandy in World War II. It was the largest seaborne invasion in history and marked a turning point in the War. Today is a day to look back in history, to learn about what happened, and to honor those who fought and died to defend freedom.

Photo courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

According to news reports, individual testimony, and historical photographs, the first thing Americans did when they first heard the news of the D-Day invasion, was they prayed.

Seventy years ago today over 160,000 troops from America, Britain, Canada, France, Poland and other nations landed along a 50-mile stretch of the Normandy coast of France during World War II.

We owe an inestimable debt to the soldiers who fought and died to defend our freedom this day. Please take time today to pray for D-Day veterans and their families.

In the long run, not one but two totalitarian powers collapsed -- one in 1945, the other in 1991 -- as a result of our victory on D-Day.