IN MEMORY OF THOSE 9000 WHO DIED ON THE BEACHES OF NORMANDY. - Marion Waters, Principal On November 7, we will celebrate Veterans Day in America. In our day to day activities, we have most likely failed to comprehend and understand that the price of our liberty, our freedoms, and our ability to live as free people was paid by those young men and women in our military who gave their last full measure of devotion to generations that were yet unborn. I was born five years after D-Day in 1944. Many of you were born decades later. I have always been keenly interested in history and especially the history of our development as a nation and as a people. On June 6, 1944, the invasion of Nazi held fortress Europe began on the Normandy coast at several beaches where American, Canadian, British, and Free-French troops landed. To commemorate the sacrifice of thousands of young men not much older than some that attend Greer High, a team decided to etch in the sand silhouettes of 9,000 brave soldiers, airmen, and sailors who died on June 6, 1944, in a very noble cause. November 7th is approaching soon and but a very few remain from the ranks of World war II veterans. We have had countless wars since then – Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Operation Just Cause, Afghanistan, etc. not to count the countless ones from 1750 through World War I. Maybe we should inquire just what would compel a person to risk and often give his/her life in the defense of their country? Maybe we need to stop and remember that most of those that are killed in war are young, vibrant, strong young men and women who would have bright futures ahead of them, opportunities to have wives and husbands and families, and opportunities to grow old and enjoy grandchildren and their senior years. Take a look at the silhouettes created below – 9,000 of them. What are we to say to our students, our families, and our friends this year about Veterans Day. Do you have anyone in your family that should be thanked for their service and sacrifice. Do you have a neighbor, a church friend, a family member, or one that has departed this life who served that deserve a thank you or a quiet tribute? What will you do on Veterans Day this year to teach the lessons of selfless service, commitment to a cause bigger than self, and of the requirements for such service in a democracy like ours if we are to remain free? It is not war that is celebrated; in fact, war is most abhorrent to me and women of the military as they know the price that is paid. What will you do this veterans day? Please consider reflections on the photos below as a good starting point.
Posted on: Tue, 11 Nov 2014 13:28:52 +0000
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