D-Day heroes owed a debt of gratitude

From Normandy, France; Subject; D-Day

Omaha Beach is a peaceful place now. There is almost no evidence of the struggle that took place here 68 years ago on June 6. Now you can hear the morning bells ringing, children laughing. You can see lovers strolling peacefully as the sun sets over the sea.

But the serenity is interrupted by a deep emotional scene above the sea wall a short distance away, Colleville Sur Mer — the final resting place of 9,387 American soldiers. Each marker straight and perfectly aliened as they were to their duty. I don’t have space to reveal all my thoughts as I read the names of the heroes and the dates they fell. I imagined a grieving widow, a girl back home, parents never again to embrace their son. The ultimate sacrifice for the liberty that we Americans sometimes take for granted.

Samon and Raymond were 10 years old when the Nazis invaded their homes in Paris. They were starving when American soldiers gave them their first chocolate bar and an Army jacket. They both wanted me to tell all my American friends what deep gratitude they had for the liberating soldiers who set them free.

We all owe a debt of gratitude to these heroes we can only repay by keeping the spirit of freedom alive. Let us all be vigilant, support our troops, hold our government accountable, teach our children to love peace but be prepared to defend our beloved republic.

DAN HEINTZ

Sandpoint