I just returned from a “bucket list” trip to Normandy with a group of University of Washington alums — just 20 of us. And though I was alive, albeit a little girl, when the landing on the coast of Normandy occurred; and I had studied it and learned a little bit about it in school, I was not prepared for the scope of that famous battle — Operation Overlord — that turned the tide for the outcome of World War II.

From D-Day, by Stephen E. Ambrose:
“Operation Overlord, the invasion of German-occupied France in June 1944, was staggering in its scope. In one night and day, 175,000 fighting men and their equipment, including 50,000 vehicles of all types, ranging from motorcycles to tanks and armored bulldozers, were transported across sixty to a hundred miles of open water and landed on a hostile shore against intense opposition. They were either carried by or supported by 5,333 ships and craft of all types and almost 11,000 airplanes…”

“Success of Operation Overlord came down to a bunch of eighteen-to-twenty-eight-year-olds. They were magnificently trained and equipped and supported, but only a few of them had ever been in combat. Only a few had ever killed or seen a buddy killed — they had never heard a shot fired in anger…

“But when the test came when freedom had to be fought for or abandoned, they fought. They were soldiers of democracy. They were the men of D-Day, and to them we owe our freedom.”

The American Cemetery with its memorial is located on a bluff overlooking Omaha Beach and the English Channel. It contains the remains of 9,388 American military dead, most of whom were killed during the invasion of Normandy. The Cemetery was dedicated on July 19, 1956.

The monumental bronze sculpture, “The Spirit of American Youth Rising from the Waves” is in the center of the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, France. The sculptor’s name is Donald Harcourt De Lue.

My heart is heavy with emotion — and it is full with gratitude for the sacrifice these young men made so that we could live in freedom. The engraving below the statue reads: “To these we owe the high resolve that the cause for which they died shall live”

SACRIFICE

Independence Day: A time to celebrate
Our freedom from oppression, and grief.
With further study, how it came about
Was through sacrifice, hard work, and the belief
That self-rule and independence were the better choices
For a band of independent-minded pioneers.
So, with determination to succeed, they fought the good fight.
To pursue independence and freedom. They did persevere.

The perseverance and the determination and the sacrifice
That many millions have endured to form
This country we all profess to cherish
Is beyond one’s imagination, beyond the norm.

And the beat goes on to protect our freedom:
Throughout the years America’s Veterans have shown
Their willingness to sacrifice for our country to remain strong.
They’ve earned our lasting gratitude. Many remain unknown.

Thomas Merton claims that the most difficult sacrifice
Is the pursuit and maintenance of peace for mankind.
“It demands greater fidelity to the truth,” he states,
”And a more perfect purity of conscience” … (to remind).

Freedom does not come without a price.
We take for granted the many liberties with which we’re blessed.
They have all been earned through the ultimate sacrifice,
Paid by members of our Armed Forces. May their souls rest.

Our flag honors those who have fought to protect it;
It’s a reminder of the sacrifice of heroes so brave.
The Stars and Stripes represent the very best of this nation…
A nation we must sacrifice for, in order to save.

If you don’t sacrifice for what you want,
What you want becomes the sacrifice. (Oh, my!)
You must sacrifice something to reach your goal.
What you let go of determines how high you’ll fly.

Madeleine Albright reminds us that “The ties that bind America
Are stronger than disagreements over any particular policy,
And far more durable than any party affiliation.”
It’s not “us or them!” It’s “WE!”

It seems these days everyone has a point of view that differs from every one else’s point of view, and no two people can agree on anything!

The politicians seem to have the loudest voices, and while truth (or even calm, intelligent discussion) is avoided because, in some cases, the not-so-hidden agendas of getting re-elected takes precedence; the noise continues.

This poem was first published in 2020 in my book, HORIZONS. It attempts to throw a little water on the fires that burn so intently when someone stands red-faced trying to get his or her point of view across to someone else.

As the poem states, all experience is process. Over time, everything evolves into something else, even points of view. So, calm down!

Love is always the answer. Get along with each other! The future of the world depends on it.

POINT OF VIEW

Sometimes it is hard to shed your own point of view,
To let others’ opinions and points of view enter.
Everyone takes the limits of his own field of vision
For the limits of the world. We are our own center.

But the most fatal illusion is the settled point of view,
Because life is growth and motion.
Stopped by a fixed point of view, the person’s growth “dies.”
(This is stated without emotion.)

“If there’s any one secret of success,” says Henry Ford,
“It lies in the ability to be objective…”
And see from the other person’s point of view,
As well as your own. It is perspective.

A point of view can be a dangerous luxury
When substituted for insight and understanding.
You really never understand another person
Until you can see things from where he is standing.

We cling to our own point of view as if
Everything depended on our being “right.”
Our opinions have no permanence; they gradually pass away —
Like autumn and winter, like darkness and daylight.

A simple rule in dealing with a difficult person
Is to remember (before it all goes askew):
This person is striving to assert his superiority.
You must deal with him from that point of view.

Always respect another’s opinion and point of view,
Even if shared with aggressiveness.
No point of view can ever be the last one,
Owing to the fact that all experience is process.

Thanks to a dear college friend, I was reminded that what the world needs right about now is a generous dose of Laughter!

Granted, the world’s condition is not very laughable at the moment, so I was not even close to thinking of Laughter as being the subject for May’s Poem of the Month. Then, upon researching the internet for some wise words on the subject, Socrates explained to my satisfaction that “The Comic and the Tragic lie inseparably close, like light and shadow.”

And George Bernard Shaw further explained, “Life doesn’t cease to be funny when people die, any more than it ceases to be serious when people laugh.”

So, Allegra — dear friend — thanks for the prod! I needed it!

LAUGHTER

Laughter has been called an instant vacation…
It is sunshine in the house… it has no foreign accent.
It’s the shortest distance between two people;
That it makes you feel happy is no accident.

When you laugh, your body produces endorphins —
Hormones which relieve your pain and your stress.
Endorphin release gives you a natural “high…”
A feeling of well-being and hopefulness.

Socrates said, “The Comic and the Tragic
Lie inseparably close, like light and shadow.”
We are constantly comparing one to the other,
And pondering what reaction might be apropos.

George Bernard Shaw confirmed this premise…
In fact, it could even be his monograph:
“Life doesn’t cease to be funny when people die
Any more than it ceases to be serious when people laugh.”

It’s said that an optimist laughs to forget
While a pessimist forgets to laugh at all.
e.e. cummings said “The most wasted of all days
Is one without laughter” — morning to nightfall.

Lots of people have contributed an opinion
On the value of laughter in our daily lives.
I’ll throw a few in to amuse and enlighten
Your awareness that laughter will help you to thrive!

“A good laugh heals a lot of hurts.”
So says Madeleine L’Engle — so wise.
Mark Twain: “Against the assault of laughter,
Nothing can stand” — no need to analyze.
Lord Byron quoted: “Always laugh when you can!
It’s cheap medicine.” — it’s true, I realize.
Erma Bombeck said, “When humor goes,
There goes civilization!” — a need to dramatize!

“You don’t stop laughing because you grow old;
You grow old because you stop laughing!” It’s true!
Michael Pritchard shared those very wise words.
Please share them with others. They will thank you!

Laughing is always the best form of therapy.
It’s the opposite of being sad and downcast.
Laughter is mankind’s most effective weapon.
As Mary Poole stated: “He who laughs, lasts!”