Victory and a Veteran

We were certainly ready to celebrate America today as we remembered those who fought in WWII, especially those who were a part of the D-day Invasion.

We began our day at the National Peace Memorial, a museum dedicated to educating about every aspect of the World Wars, especially WWII.

In one sense it was depressing, to see so many instruments of war and violence. What pain and sorrow a world at war causes. I was especially touched by the many letters written by soldiers to their loved ones and the prayer books and hymnals that were on display.

As we walked through the museum, it was hard for any of us to grasp the difficulites - the harshness of life for the soldiers of WWII. My grandfather hasn’t told me much about his time in WWII and his involvement at Omaha, but he’s said enough for me to know that thinking and talking about events that happened almost 60 years ago are still a burden. Knowing that he was right here, and being surrounded by such vivid pictures of the sacrifices he and his friends made for our country made the day’s experiences even more emotional and real for me. How blessed we are in America!

In the afternoon, we visited the American cemetery at Omaha. Mrs. Campbell always reminds CCVA travelers that we wouldn’t really appreciate the significance of what we’ve seen until we get home and “absorb” it all. I have to admit that something felt much different when I stepped onto the grounds of the cemetery for a second time. I was incredibly moved by the endless rows of crosses that marked the burial places of thousands of brave men who died in service of their country and the stories that accompanied them.

After our tour of the grounds was over, we convened at the central memorial for our brief outdoor concert of American music. During the concert, we were interrupted by the cemetery superintendent. As it turned out, it was his day off, and he had been woken from a nap by our singing.

During our chat with him, he asked if we could do him a favor and turn ourselves to face both the cemetery and the wall behind us. He explained that while it was wonderful that we were singing towards those buried at Omaha, he would also like for us to sing to the memorial of names behind us: names of those soldiers who are still missing in action. It was a beautiful request.

I felt so blessed to be able to sing Amazing Grace in the place where my grandfather and so many others fought, and was even more honored to assist eleven other choir members, who were selected to participate in the flag lowering ceremony.

Just before the ceremony began, however, we learned that one more person would be joining us: a WWII veteran. He told us his story about his time serving in Germany and his subsequent careers as a teacher, principal, and superintendant of schools in California. What was so much more striking, most impressive to me, was the way his eyes seemed to shine when he talked about America and how lucky we are to live there. What courage. What loyality. Truely, the Greatest Generation.

And what of those serving right now in Iraq and Afganastan? Isn't their sacrifice as great? Greater, at a time when service is more likely to mean working in a soup kitchen or building a house in an inner city neighborhood, where love and honor of country seems harder to find? This place gives all who visit a deeper appreciation for all those capable of the Greatest Sacrifice.

We lowered the two flags on the grounds and then sang once again for our new veteran friend. He sang right along with us, with joy and gusto, and thanked us profusely for making his trip to visit his fallen brothers even more significant. His thanks was the greatest gift we could have been given that day.

We made a quick trip to Omaha beach to collect sand before going back to the hotel for dinner and an evening in. As we had been anticipating, Lisa and I took advantage of our “privileged room”, relaxing, journaling, and reflecting on the trip so far with our robes, slippers, and free sodas of our choosing. What a wonderful end to a powerful and emotional day!