June 5, 2025
June 6, 1944, stands as one of the most courageous and consequential days in American military history. On that morning, more than 150,000 Allied troops stormed the beaches of Normandy, France, to begin the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi control. It was the largest amphibious assault in history, and it set the tone for the final push of World War II.
We often hear about the scale of the D-Day invasion, the number of ships, planes, and troops involved, but what has always struck me is the sheer personal courage it took. Imagine being in one of those landing crafts, the gate opening, and knowing you’re about to run headlong into enemy fire. And still, they went.
It’s hard to put that kind of bravery into words. D-Day was a moment when the fate of the world hung in the balance. And ordinary men, most of them barely older than teenagers, stepped into that moment and did the extraordinary.
I think about that courage often, especially now as a father. I’ve talked to my wife, Nicola, and our boys about visiting Normandy and I very much look forward to taking them there soon. To stand where those men stood and to feel the weight of what happened there will be as moving as it will be profoundly inspiring. To understand the price those young men paid to preserve our way of life and shape the history of the world is overwhelmingly humbling.
One of the powerful things about military service is that it connects you to generations of people who wore the uniform before you. When I think about D-Day, I’m reminded that everyone who has ever served carries some piece of that legacy. When I think about the courage it took to wade ashore under fire, I am inspired to bring that sense of determination and courage into my life through service to others and in how I relate to others.
The Allied victory on D-Day didn’t end the war, but it started the clock. Within a year, Nazi Germany would surrender. But the cost was enormous. Thousands died on those beaches and those who survived carried the weight of that day with them for the rest of their lives.
D-Day was a massive operation, but it was built on countless individual acts of incredible bravery. As we reflect on this date, I hope it’s not just about remembering history, it’s about honoring those who made it. And it’s about carrying forward their example.
