The "Greatest Generation"

Editorial by Greenville Daily Reflector, June 5, 2015.

Fifteen years ago this Saturday, the National WWII Museum was established in New Orleans to commemorate the contributions made by the United States to victory by the Allies in World War II. Originally named the National D-Day Museum, its main focus is the American experience in World War II, highlighting the Battle of Normandy in France.

The museum is undergoing a $325 million expansion that will quadruple its original size. The expansion is expected to position the museum as “a leading resource on the history, values and lasting significance of World War II,” according to its website.

That resource becomes increasingly valuable as fewer veterans from that “Greatest Generation” remain to share their experiences with younger generations. Listening to eyewitness accounts of D-Day helps younger generations better appreciate the freedoms we enjoy today, thanks to the ones who stormed the beaches back then.

Seventy-one years ago this Friday, Operation Overlord began as more than 1,000 British bombers dropped 5,000 tons of bombs on German gun batteries along the Normandy coast in preparation for D-Day. Paratroopers were among the first Allied troops to land in Normandy that day.

D-Day began the next day with the landing of 155,000 Allied troops on the beaches of Normandy. At least 10,000 died there.

“The eyes of the world are upon you,” President Dwight D. Eisenhower said in a message to the troops just before the invasion. “The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers in arms on other fronts, 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.”

The value and significance of that historic message carries as much weight today as it did 71 years ago. The ears it fell on then are fewer in number today, but the pivotal role they played in preserving freedom must not grow quiet.

Most of the surviving veterans who were serving in U.S. armed forces during the war are in their 90s today. The Veterans Administration estimates that about 492 of them die each day. Of the 16 million Americans who served their nation during the war, fewer than 1 million are alive today.

Every American should honor and appreciate their amazing sacrifice and what it means to the principle of freedom. One fine way to do that is by contributing to the expansion campaign at The National WWII Museum. Visit nationalww2museum.org to learn how.

http://www.reflector.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-appreciate-greatest-generation-2897217