Greetings everyone, it is Saturday, 7 June, and I am at my departure gate from Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris, France. I wanted to try to capture thoughts after another incredible visit to Normandy for the 81st anniversary of D-Day. I am reflecting on the word legacy, which I think this trip and this time are all about. I was part of a trip bringing over 25 conservative college students who are part of the Young America’s Foundation. It gave me such true joy to watch the faces of these young people as they experienced the impeccable feats of courage accomplished here 81 years ago. Two of the members of the group were Veterans, and they laid a wreath at the Spirit of Youth statue at the American Military Cemetery that overlooks Omaha Beach. Several of the students were moved to tears as the grounds were silent, as taps played.
Legacy, having college students from our Nation 81 years later laying a wreath of honor to the over 9,000 men who gave up their youth for liberty and freedom.
I am part of a group called the Round Canopy Parachuting Team, based in Palatka, Florida. We have chapters in other countries such as France, the UK, the Netherlands, and Canada. The reason behind our organization is to preserve and honor the memory of the American paratroopers, especially those who jumped into the Normandy drop zones. This trip, we had several airborne jumps scheduled, and the weather was typical: windy, cool, and rainy. It reminded us all of the decision that General Eisenhower had to make 81 years ago. So much as far as weather conditions had to be perfect for the operation to be conducted, not to mention sea state. On Thursday, 5 June, we waited at Cherbourg airport for a window, just like Ike did, and it came. That evening, a little after 8 pm, we jumped into a drop zone near the town of St. Martin de Varreville. It was there that men of the 101st Airborne Division had the mission to take the village and secure Exit #4 for the follow-on forces landing at Utah Beach, as well as eliminate supporting German artillery—a mission they accomplished.
As I exited a C-47 aircraft that flew 81 years ago, I looked down and saw a gathered crowd. In that crowd were the 25 college students…who had never witnessed an airborne drop. After hitting the drop zone with a proper PLF (parachute landing fall), I recovered my parachute and moved to the assembly/check-in point. There were our YAF students, bristling with smiles, cold, wet, and seared into their minds, and on their cell phones, were images they will never forget.
Legacy, preserving the memory of the men who parachuted from the skies for future generations to see. It is one thing to watch Band of Brothers…it is another thing to witness the Band of Brothers honoring them.
However, what was most memorable for me was being there at Utah Beach, pondering the accomplishments of men from the 4th Infantry Division, in which I served. As I stood there in my M1942 paratrooper uniform, they walked a family of four—Mom, Dad, and two Sons. The Dad was dressed as a 101st Airborne paratrooper, the two little sons as members of the 2d Ranger Battalion, who scaled the cliffs of Pont du Hoc, and Mom was in period 1940s attire, down to the hairdo. No, they were not Americans; they were French. I thought about what it took for them to acquire the period uniforms, which they wore impeccably well. But mostly, I considered that Dad dressed as a young trooper with his Dad and walked the beaches. Or perhaps his Dad, or certainly Grandfather, had served or were part of that liberation from the tyranny of Naziism.
Sadly, I thought about how many American families would be dressed in World War II D-Day uniforms on June 6th. All over Normandy, you will find those dressed as our troops were, and driving and riding in period vehicles in impressive condition.
Legacy. What are we doing in our very own Country to pass it on to the subsequent generations? I have to wonder how much news coverage was given to D-Day. How many people walking the streets in America were even aware? Eighty-one years ago, our Nation was quite aware, and held its breath and lifted up prayers for success. Is teaching our kids to hate our Nation part of the legacy that the “Boys of Pointe du Hoc” scaled the cliffs to preserve? Is that what the “Bedford Boys” of the 29th Infantry Division gave their lives for? Is that why men of the 1st Infantry Division withstood the crucible of “Bloody Omaha”? Is that why the men of the 82d and 101st Airborne Divisions jumped in the middle of the night behind enemy lines?
I will keep coming back to Normandy every year and jumping for as long as my body allows. I look forward to the day when I bring my entire family here and let my grandsons walk those beaches and watch PaPop jump from a C-47 aircraft. I will tell them the story of the utter bravery that was performed here…and they will walk around in their very own paratrooper uniforms when I take them to Sainte-Mère-Église and Carentan.
But most importantly, I will tell them about Great Grandpa, US Army Corporal Herman West Sr., my Dad, a World War II veteran.
Legacy, preserving, protecting, supporting, and defending the time-honored and hard-fought-for principles and values of our great Constitutional Republic and passing it on to subsequent generations. It is the only way to pass on the individual liberty, freedoms, and rights we enjoy…but it takes men and women of courage and honor to take the field.
Parents, and Grandparents, what shall be your legacy…?
Steadfast and Loyal.
