It was 6 June 1944 - D Day.  In almost the same way that "a date which will live in infamy" - 7  December 1941 - became synonymous with the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Allied invasion of the beaches in Normandy, France, is historically considered the beginning of the end of World War II in Europe.  Last Friday was the 80th anniversary of that massive military effort, the day on which 2,501 Americans were killed.  The cost was tremendous with nearly 73,000 allied forces killed in the attack's duration.  As an American living in the 21st century, it is difficult to wrap my head around that many deaths in such a short period of time, particularly when those deaths were not caused by a force of nature, but self-inflicted by part of the human race.  So in a media clip on Friday when I saw a good number of veterans from the invasion of Normandy gathered together to remember (many of whom are 100 years old or older) I was particularly struck by the words of 101 year old old Harold Terens, of the 8th Air Force U. S. Army Air Corps.

"Freedom means everything.  I pray for freedom for the whole world.  For the wars to end in Ukraine and Russia, and in Sudan and Gaza.  I think war is disgusting, absolutely disgusting."  This from a man who was there and fought.

It is far too easy, particularly in these times when some of the world's leaders seem to relish the fight, to think that war is part of the human condition. When that thought becomes too pervasive, we need to think about the beauty of the planet on which we are privileged to live, and of the many who work every day to keep humanity from plunging into darkness.  I also have to smile at the fact that Harold Terens - the D Day hero who doesn't think of himself that way -  at age 100 married his 96 year old sweetheart Jeanne Swerline.  A truly lovely couple, still giving all of us so much inspiration for lives well-lived.

sunflower for blog 4

With high temperatures predicted to be in the 90s this week, summer seems to have suddenly arrived.  May all of you take great joy and pleasure in it.

Thanks to Bill & Sue, Tim, Ingrid, Kay C., Jean & Sam, Marilyn R., Steve, Marilyn G. and Pater for getting in touch about last week's blog.  

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©