I looked today through the June 6 edition of the Baltimore Sun and I did not see it. I did not see it on the first page, the last page, not even on the op-ed pages. I saw the Belmont Stakes and the Baltimore zoo story, but did not see anything about the greatest feat in history, the execution of the greatest invasion in World War II, Operation Overlord (otherwise known as D-Day). According to some accounts, over 29,000 U.S. service members died on that day — June 6, 1944.
Couldn't The Sun at least mention it? I am sure that my Uncle Petey and Uncle Vinnie, both present on that day, one parachuting in with the first wave under fire and neither sure if they were going to ever see their family again, thought about it for their years of life. The least we can do is remember it every year!
Watch the first few minutes of "Saving Private Ryan." I have a hard time not wanting to cry every time I see it. It is heart wrenching, and I cannot imagine how the participants in that battle feel.
These people fought for our freedom. They fought so that newspapers can write stories about our freedoms, or write rants about our lack of same. It is only one of three days that we identify for our veterans. A small request for what they gave during those years when my parents weren't sure if we were going to defeat the Nazi regime.
Next year it will be 72 years. One small article would be all that I, a veteran and the son of a World War II veteran, would ask.
Thanks to those World War II veterans, the Korean War veterans, and the Vietnam Veterans. I (and others) know the sacrifices you made and what you did. And we appreciate it!
Chris Greco,
The writer is an Air Force veteran.