Up to this date, I've had to do at least a small amount of thinking in order to decide upon topics for each of my blog entries. I've considered what others were writing about, what was relevent at the time, and what I wanted to say. However, when I read that my next entry was due on June 6th, I needed no further suggestions. Since every member of the American Outlaws is, by default, American; and presumably proud to be so, this is a good day to step back from the world of soccer and remember what really matters - and who we have to thank for this country of ours.
On the morning of June 6th, 1944, more than 70,000 Americans prepared to participate in the largest sea-land invasion in history, the invasion of Nazi-controlled Normandy, France. On a day that would become known to history simply as "D-Day," approximately 6,600 of those Americans were killed, wounded or taken prisoner as the Allied forces fought to gain a foothold on continental Europe. American airborne soldiers, dropped behind enemy lines in the pre-dawn hours and tasked with securing exit routes for forces landing on the beaches only a few hours later, found themselves scattered, lost, and in many cases, alone. On the beach codenamed "Omaha," the first waves of infantry units came ashore in the face of stiff, immediate German resistance. Hundreds were killed before exiting their landing craft or shortly thereafter. Many drowned in the English Channel, having been rendered unable to swim by their heavy equipment, or by their wounds. With the sea behind them and German fortified machine guns in front of them, the soldiers who made it ashore on Omaha Beach in those first hours found themselves hopelessly pinned and unabled to communicate, their leaders often lost or killed. General Omar Bradley, in charge of the assault, considered abandoning the beach.
The late historian Stephen E. Ambrose believed it was the uniquely American determination and initiative of these soldiers that saved the operation from failure. The men of the 101st and 82nd Airborne divisions banded together in ad-hoc, intermingled groups and marched on to their objectives, often tens of miles away. They fought in hastily constructed units, often with men whom they had never met, and secured the all-important areas behind the beaches. Men came together in a similar fashion on Omaha Beach, slowly forming units on their own initiative and fighting their way over the seawall, often up steep cliffs, and off the beach before attacking and defeating German units from the rear. Though very little about D-Day went according to plan, by the end of the day the allies had secured their beachhead and begun the fight to liberate Europe and defeat Nazi Germany.
Though the anniversary of D-Day has little to do with soccer, it is important for us as Americans to remember the men and women of the armed forces, both past and present, who have defended our country and made it possible for us to enjoy its freedoms; including the freedom to travel to a soccer match and support our team. And it is because of these Americans that we should be proud to live in a nation for whom so many have been willing to fight, and to die. When we support our team and our country, we should always remember those whose sacrifices have made it possible to do so. They are the reason our team can be proud to wear the red, white and blue, and they are the reason we can be proud to sing and cheer in their support.
-Ben Girard
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