June 2019
To live for greatness
Harry Scherer
Class of 2022
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One of the most iconic photos of D-Day is this one. General Eisenhower - Supreme Allied Command in Europe - speaking to the 101st Airborne on June 5th, the day before Operation, more commonly known as D-Day . The 101st would jump behind enemy lines the night before the invasion to disrupt German defenses. The Allied casualties figures
for D-Day have generally been estimated at 10,000, including 2500 dead. In the two months prior to D-Day, Allied air forces lost nearly 12,000 men and over 2,000 aircraft in operations which paved the way for D-Day. |
"No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends" (John 15:13). On June 6, 1944, about 4,000 Allied troops lost their lives at the hands of war on the beaches of Normandy. Today, our consolation remains that their deaths were not in vain, but rather served a sacrificial purpose which was rooted in the preservation of
freedom.
As we reflect on that fateful day, we are prompted to further consider the purpose of war itself. If forceful retaliation was not justified for the Allied forces and responses to international actions of terror were responded with inaction on the part of the United States, then tyranny would be the status quo and American ideals of freedom and liberty
would have evaporated.
The American, British, Canadian, Australian, Czech, French, Norwegian and Polish men who died to safeguard Western ideals are collectively imprinted in the memories of the men and women who were alive at that time. Because the loss was so great for the Western military, that which was defending a flourishing culture and people, the memory of their
short-term loss and lasting success proved to become an event which requires commemoration seventy-five years after its occurrence.
The motivations of the men who died deserves further reflection. On a practical level, the soldiers stormed the beaches of Normandy with the intention of pushing the Nazis out of France and diminishing their presence in Western Europe. If the Allied forces would not have been steadfast in their desire to push the Nazis further east, then the continuing
conquest of the authoritarian world power would have continued to impose influence on the Western world. Another motivation which the West had was the termination of a long and bloody international conflict. All of the dreadful symptoms of prolonged war, including significant loss of life, a suffering economy and lengthened distraction from a political focus on domestic
issues proved to be motivation to end this bitter battle.
The cultural tendency, which Americans and other members of the West have for commemorating events like D-Day, is indicative of the natural human tendency to recognize selfless action. A world which is surrounded by the selfish action of politicians, business leaders and celebrities has become particularly perceptive to the beauty and freedom of
participating in selfless acts.
To that end, what could the individual soldiers have recognized to be the benefits of storming the beaches at Normandy? Was it for the defense of family, future Western generations, or the country for which they fought? Perhaps it was a perceived divine vocation to capitalize on the gifts which the soldiers were given. All of these possibilities
necessitate the individual men and women who fought or supported the effort to look outside of their own comforts and pleasures.
It was certainly uncomfortable to spend weeks and months mentally preparing for a battle which was sure to kill thousands of men but had the potential to eventually liberate the nation of France and the rest of Western Europe from the grasp of Nazi control and prevent decades of death and persecution from a fearful and hateful ideology.
It was certainly uncomfortable to board the amphibious landing crafts which were used on that fateful and victorious day, unsure of whether you would be shot shortly after exiting the boat. Excited for the prospect of taking part in a defining moment in military and world history, the actions in which you would partake would be recorded and used to
motivate and instill gratitude in the minds of thousands of free citizens.
It was certainly uncomfortable questioning the preparedness of the Nazis for the arrival of the Allied forces. If the Germans would have been more prepared, it is certain that many more would have died at the hands of the great war. It must be considered, further, the divine involvement in the events of June 6, 1944 and whether some lives were saved
because of the surprising nature of the invasion.
It was certainly uncomfortable to travel across the English Channel to the beaches of France, sickened by the smell of vomit, crowded next to other frightened men who were motivated by a love of ideas wholly outside of themselves to perform an unenviable task for the sake of invisible realities.
It was certainly uncomfortable to land on the beaches, decelerated from the presence of the sand, unsure of what the next few minutes would hold and seeing brave men drop to the ground because of wounds.
It was certainly uncomfortable to consider the notion that the sacrifices which took place on June 6 and the lives that were lost could have not borne fruit. It was within the realm of possibility that the Germans were prepared for this targeted attack and tactically and physically prepared for the invasion. Instead, the Allied forces relied on a
providential and practical plan to succeed in their mission.
It was certainly uncomfortable; "but you were not made for comfort. You were made for greatness," said Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. The men and women who fought on the battle lines of Normandy, who came to the medical aid of the wounded soldiers, who prepared the soldiers for battle, who cooked and cleaned for the soldiers in their time of ultimate
desperation away from their homes and families all recognized the universal vocation of not only doing great things but of being great. The calling of the 20th century was one to step aside from the pleasurable allures of comfort and recognize that a life well-lived is not a comfortable one, but one which recognizes and responds to suffering in a just, temperate, prudent and
courageous manner. The soldiers who fought on the beaches of Normandy can remind the people of our time and generation that life is too short and meaningful to limit human action to that which is comfortable or instinctive. Our rationality prompts us to something more. Our vocation is greatness.
Read other articles by Harry Scherer
A day of hope
Angela Guiao
MSMU Class of 2021
Since I am not much of a history buff, when I read "D-Day" in the prompt, not much came to mind. In fact, I had mistakenly believed that it was referring to the bombing of Hiroshima. But after some intense research, a look in my grandpa’s old diaries, and a quiet evening of watching The Longest Day, I realized the vital significance that D-Day
represents.
As a recap, D-Day is on June 6, 1944. It is the day the Allied forces (Canada, Britain, and America in this particular case) invaded the beaches of Normandy in what can be considered the beginning of the end of World War II.
Hitler, afraid that the attack was just a diversion to distract from another attack assumed to take place along the Seine, refused to send more troops to the beaches. As a result, leaving the German troops vulnerable and easier to overcome. The winning combination of land troops and sea and air support allowed for extra help when it came to securing
bridges. They also allowed for the destruction of certain bridges that would cause the Germans to take longer ways around the land.
Despite high casualties, the Allies reached the Seine and began to invade Germany where the Soviets were planned to enter from the opposite side. The Allies were victorious, and it is hard to ignore the fact that their success is largely due to the events on D-Day.
Now, I would like to focus on a different perspective of D-Day. My grandfather, who was living in the Philippines at the time of the invasion, was an avid writer and often updated his diary. When he died, my mother inherited his journals and kept them in a box in our attic. We were meant to ask someone about what they remember about D-Day, but since I
do not know anyone who would have been alive during that time, I hoped that my grandpa had at least written about it. And he did.
In 1944, my grandpa would have been approximately sixteen years old. From stories I have heard from my mother, he was a quiet boy who came from a hardworking family. He was not living in our area of Laguna yet, which is the part of the Philippines where we have built our home, but rather living in his hometown in Batangas.
Amazingly, on D-Day, he does write an entry about a speech Manuel Quezon gave. He listened to it on the radio. I searched up the actual speech and found out it was about the continuous support and prayers the Philippines was sending to the Allied troops on the beaches in France. The invasion was a representation of hope and future liberation from
totalitarianism. At the time, the Philippines was controlled by the Japanese, and was looking forward to the arrival of the Americans who had promised to liberate them.
Quezon’s speech does not hide the adoration he has for United States’ troops, going so far as to refer to General Douglas MacArthur as "our beloved." My grandpa expresses hope for the Philippines, as he had a large family of brothers and sisters whom he had to protect. The Japanese were everywhere, and he was constantly worrying about his sisters who
liked to go out alone. He talks about how he had heard many stories of girls being raped by the Japanese, and how he hopes to move away from Batangas soon.
I find his entries compelling since I have never been given the chance to talk with him about it. My mother informed me that at that time the Philippines was filled with what she called "guerillas," though they were considered more to be extremists during her time. She said that the guerillas were scary, angry people who helped fight in the war.
She told me that my grandfather had moved to Laguna, which was not very developed at the time, in hopes to separate himself from the Japanese, who often occupied more populated areas of the Philippines.
Each day afterwards, my grandpa would write. He wrote about his friend’s reactions to the news, and the sense of waiting. He said there was a long sense of waiting. His exact words were "Araw araw naghintay kami. Naghihintay lang kami para sa panahon na pwuede na kami huminga. Padating na yung mga Americano. Padating na yung kalayaan." This translates
to, "Every day we wait. We wait for the time where we can finally breathe. The Americans are coming. Freedom is coming."
After reading his entries, I found myself more enticed with the events on D-Day. And the movie, The Longest Day really allowed me to completely understand what went on. The title itself was something I felt my grandfather could relate to. It made me realize what a milestone D-Day was, not only for the Allies, but for the world. As Quezon said in his
speech, "In this global war, every blow struck for freedom anywhere in the world is a blow struck for our own freedom."
The idea of a world overcome by war is something I can only imagine. It amazes me that it was once a reality for my grandparents. From what I’ve learned, read and understood, D-Day will always be the day that the world hoped. It will always be the day that screamed to the world, "It’s almost over!" When the Allies crossed the beaches of Normandy, the
world celebrated with joy. It meant it was possible. It meant that there was an end. The terror would pass. It will all pass. There is hope.
Now, when I see the word D-Day, I will know exactly what was happening. It is the day that my grandpa was able to rest his mind and lessen his worry. It is the day that the Allies won. It is the day that the world will forever remember as a day of hope, of freedom, of change. To all the men and women who played a part on that faithful day, thank you.
Read other articles by Angela (Tongohan) Guiano
A dwindling memory
Morgan Rooney
MSMU Class of 2020
As summer approaches and things begin to calm down, it’s important to reflect on the long chain of events that brought us to where we are. Even though I am just 21 years old, I can think of so many examples of decisions that have been made or events that have happened that put me where I am now.
Sometimes I forget to think of those events that happened well before I even came into existence. The decisions and life events of my parents and grandparents that led indirectly to me. I could keep going forever and ever back, as the probability of each of our lives is the result of an infinitely minuscule possibility.
We will remember the most influential events of our country and beyond forever, especially for those who were around. Many of us remember the events of 9/11 and where we were and how we felt. I even remember the events, although I was only three years old when the attacks occurred. When talking to generations older than I am, I get a better idea of the
other events that people still remember. This includes the events of D-Day, which occurred on June 6, 1944.
As the anniversary of the notable event is approaching, we were asked to watch the film "The Longest Day" and to talk to someone who may have a recollection of the events. The film was, like the day, long. As the film concluded, I wondered if it had just dragged on, but as I began doing more research, I realized how much realistic detail had been
incorporated into the film. Even the little things, like the Frenchman on the beach giving away champagne, were actual recorded events and put into the film. After studying the event further, as history has never been my strength, I concluded that the film was very well done and gave me a much more thorough understanding than anything else I looked at.
In summary, on June 6, 1944, the Allied Forces of Britain, America, Canada, and France attacked German forces on the coast of Normandy, France. At 6:30 a.m., the first American soldiers arrived at the beach of Omaha with other nations closely following on other beaches throughout Normandy. Other beaches included Utah beach, Juno beach, Sword beach, and
Gold beach. With numbers over 150,000, the Allied Forces gained a victory that became the turning point for World War II throughout Europe.
Of course, this important day in history did not follow through without many challenges and problems throughout the day. Many aircrafts missed their targets, as they could not be signaled because of their supplies being elsewhere. Some planes were scattered due to enemy attacks. The paratroopers were not dropped in the right locations as they were
either dropped too high and drifted elsewhere, sometimes being shot down without having a way to escape or fight back, and others were dropped too low and faced injuries when landing as their parachutes did not slow them down enough before reaching the ground. In certain locations, the water was choppy, boats took on water, and some ended up in locations they were not meant
to land in. Despite the challenges, the operation was a success.
Although it was a challenge for me to find someone who had any recollection of the events, as most of the people I know in my family, even one of my grandparents, were born after the year that D-Day took place, what I gathered was that it was a period of uncertainty. No one knew when the war would end, nor what the results would be. D-Day gave the
Allied Nations hope that things were now in their favor.
When asking my grandmother if she has any memories, even though she was only a young child, she remembered the excitement of the people. She said she was living in California at the time with her father and step-mother, only four years old and outside riding on her tricycle. She also said that the following year, shortly after the war, she remembers
traveling back to her home town in Utah by bus and seeing the soldiers on the bus travelling home.
An interesting note my grandmother made was that she wasn’t sure if Americans were truly in it for the win anymore, but just wanted the war to end. They were tired of the war and thrilled to see it begin to turn for a better and had hope it would soon be coming to a close.
My grandfather, however, was a bit older when these events took place. He says he was living in Idaho at the time, fourteen years old. He was on a farm and driving the tractor in the field, cutting wheat. His aunt came running out and told him what had occurred. He recalled that many celebrated as there was now hope for the future of the war. When the
war finally came to a conclusion, the whole of the small Idaho town held a dance in celebration. The excitement could be heard throughout the whole country.
It was very interesting for me to hear the perspectives of the older generations in my life, and to listen to them talk of the events that are memorable to them. I think about the things I’m worried about and how different those things are from the worries people had during the second World War. I think of my grandparents’ memories as very precious, as
there won’t still be many first-hand memories of events like this in the coming years, whenever that may be. This, however should not be something we forget just because the first-hand memories will dwindle. Our lives are forever changed because of it, even though we may not think of it.
I am confident, however, that D-Day will never be forgotten, as it was only the most important event of the great war that completely shaped the world and our future forever.
Read other articles by Morgan Rooney
Fighting the battle on our knees
Shea Rowell
MSMU
Class of 2019
News of the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944 arrived in the U.S. around 3 a.m., bringing the nation to its knees in prayer. Newspapers and radio broadcasts struggled to keep the public informed of the latest information as America’s sons stormed the beaches of Normandy, France. According to an article by Natasha Geiling in Smithsonian Magazine, the
churches and synagogues were packed across the nation, as Americans joined in prayer for the safety of their soldiers, and for victory in the European campaign. President Roosevelt himself urged Americans to "devote themselves in a continuance of prayer" in his radio address that day. The Library of Congress’s collection contains pictures of masses and prayer services
throughout the nation, including a rally held in Madison Square. The whole nation, it seems, brought the invasion to God in prayer.
In the film representation of the Normandy invasion on D-Day, "The Longest Day," military officers on both sides of the conflict asked, "I wonder whose side God is on?" From an American perspective, it is nearly incomprehensible that God would be on the side of the Germans. How could God condone the horrors of the Holocaust and the eugenic fascist
ideologies, the anger that drove the Germans’ aggression, and the oppression of dictators like Hitler and Mussolini against their own people? The frightening reality, however, is that the German leaders, officers, soldiers, and civilians were frequently – although not always – convinced that their agenda was morally right, or at least justified. God, many thought, was on
their side.
If God has a side, what is it? While it is too simple to assert that God is on one side or another of an international conflict, God always has a side: the side of truth, justice, and love. Even a secular state should be aware of the moral implications of its actions. It is never easy to determine what is morally right, especially when self-interest
clouds our judgment and circumstance limits our freedom. But the history of WWII should warn us that even those who think they are on God’s side may sometimes be deceived. No nation or individual is immune to the risk.
While America should never consider herself to be above the influence of deception and self -interest, there is value in celebrating the victories she has enjoyed on behalf of justice. The victory on D-Day is one such occasion for celebration. It was a major turning point for the war in Europe and offered a great boost in morale to the war-wearied
Allies, especially France and the UK, whose wounds would take decades to heal. The American ideal as the defender of justice and liberty, while risky at times to maintain, is vital to the American identity. We should hang on to that ideal tightly, as it gives us a goal to aim for and a value system to guide our actions and hold us accountable for our mistakes.
The World Wars established America firmly as a world superpower. This has given our nation an immense responsibility in the world, as our power, for good or ill, has the potential to create deep and lasting consequences for the lives of others around the world. As a result, her duty is to govern herself with justice and consistency, and to regard the
other nations with a spirit of peace and service.
But the mythical "America" can do nothing on her own. The great nation is, however, comprised of millions of individuals who share the duty of their nation. We, as Americans, are responsible for the state of our nation and our fellow citizens living within it. While my grandmother was only three years old on D-Day, she does remember the war and its
impact on her family. She remembers pulling the shades down in her home to hide from potential bomb threats, and planning to escape to the nearest bomb shelter if need be. She also remembers the war’s final ending in 1945, and the joy that drove Americans to the streets to dance and celebrate together. The war touched every American in some way. Women took to the work force
for the first time in factories, families rationed their food, electricity and fuel, and young men were drafted and sent overseas to fight. Their lives, the lives of their family members, and the structure of their communities was at stake; everyone was involved. While these circumstances were dire and the violence horrifying, the sense of patriotism and duty in the culture
at the time was evident. The nation was theirs to protect, theirs to support, theirs to nurture.
While our culture has improved in many ways, my generation has much to learn from the WWII generation. I do not wish for a war, a tragedy, or an enemy to unite us, but I do wish for unity and love for our country. I wish for citizens who vote and run for office at the local, state, and federal levels. I wish for helping hands ready to volunteer in
community service and artistic celebrations of our national identity. I wish for a renewed sense of pride in being American, not because it is the best nation in the world, or because it is perfect, but because it is our home. I wish for faith in the ideals that form the American identity: the world exemplar of liberty and goodness – even if we have failed and will continue
to fail to meet our ideals.
In short, I have hope in an America that falls to its knees before God when she encounters struggle, like American citizens at home did during the D-Day invasion. I hope for an America who judges her actions against high moral standards of goodness and asks, like the officers in the film, "Whose side is God on?" Finally, I hope for an America who knows
her history, feels pride in how far she has come, and never stops trying to meet the ideals that make America beautiful.
Read other articles by Shea Rowell
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