‘The Normandy-area folks are deeply aware of the fact that if not for the 2,500 brave young men who stormed those beaches on June 6th, 1944, they would be speaking German to this day.’
Last week, I had the honor of visiting Normandy, France, with Young America’s Foundation (YAF) to honor the 82nd anniversary of D-Day. The trip itself was for the top-performing YAF college chapter chairs- the top 25 in the country.
As I walked the beaches where thousands of young American men lost their lives, visited towns liberated by America, and learned of the history in a far richer way than ever before, I must comment on true American exceptionalism and how a nation so young became such a force for freedom on the world stage.
On June 3rd, we landed in Paris only to find that the warnings had been true: Parisians hate Americans. Upon entering the Paris region, we were referred to as “stupid Americans,” “stupid white people,” and that the small group of female students on the trip would “make good slaves” (Thanks to the translation of our French-speaking YAF students). Advised not to wear any American flag apparel or symbolism, it was obvious that this city- now constructed of an estimated 450,000 illegal immigrants and Islam being the second largest religion in the city- had a cultured disdain for the USA.
On June 4th, the group woke up in Caen, a city only a short bus ride from the coastlines of Normandy. It was swiftly discovered that American presence in this northern sector of France is not only welcomed, but celebrated. American flags were raised on houses, restaurants, and street corners. Appreciation and blessings for our fallen men were displayed throughout the French countryside. Folks dressed in American WW2 military uniforms and knew the history of D-Day with depth and precision.
The best way to describe it: D-Day is to the French as Independence Day is to Americans.
I stood on Omaha Beach where an estimated 1,400 Americans lost their lives. Lieutenant Colonel Allan West, a true American hero, explained: “Wherever you are standing on this beach, a young man your age lost his life.” A truly solemn experience. The air was thick with emotion- difficult to multitask between the overwhelming sense of loss and true honor and national pride for what these boys were able to accomplish. In the same breath that I breathed in the tragedy, I let out a sigh of American glory. The Normandy-area folks are deeply aware of the fact that if not for the 2,500 brave young men who stormed those beaches on June 6th, 1944, they would be speaking German to this day.
We explored countless museums and honor sites, including the American Cemetery at Normandy. This was the same location that the next day, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth would speak for the 82nd Anniversary of D-Day. There, I looked out onto a sea of white crosses, 9,389 graves. Walking along the rows, I read names from my home state here in Wisconsin, and the grounding experience overcame me that these men were my brother, my classmates, my boyfriend, my friends- they were high school and college-aged men who went so far as to lie about their age so they could go fight for their country; true American exceptionalism.
Also in the cemetery were French citizens wearing American flag shirts, America 250 shirts, and French school trips learning about D-Day- how inspiring to know that even the next generation of French citizens will continue to honor the lives of our American heroes.
I want to thank the Young Americans Foundation for this trip. This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that has changed my perspective on not only D-Day and World War 2, but also how America continues to be a force of justice on the world stage.
As we celebrate 250 years as a nation (which is remarkably young in comparison with world history) we can honor how in only 250 years, American exceptionalism has paved the way to liberty on our soil and others- but not without cost. Thank you to sponsor Mr. Larry for making this trip possible; thank you to Lieutenant Colonel Allan West for your service to our country and leading us on this trip; thank you to Sofia and Hunter for planning and executing this trip; thank you to the thousands of men who died for the sake of liberty; and thank God.
