Honor D-Day sacrifices
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Editor,
What has happened to the “Spirit of 1776” in America? We just returned from the 70th anniversary commemoration of D-Day on the Normandy beach where thousands of America’s finest fought and so many died to preserve the gifts of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness inherited from our forefathers.
Seven Flathead Valley Community Band members prepared for over a year to join 103 other musicians from across the U.S. to participate in the ceremony at the American cemetery near Omaha Beach on June 6. Three days before leaving, MCI, the company working for 2.5 years on the logistics for the occasion, was notified by the State Department that the White House and Elysee Palace were replacing the 110 member Memorial Day Wind Band and its director, Col. Arnald Gabriel, a veteran of the battle on the beach, with a military band.
Fortunately the little village of St. Laurent-Sur-Mer invited our band to participate in their service on Omaha Beach later in the day. It was a heartwarming experience after the rude treatment inflicted by the White House, another sad example of the arrogant and dictatorial attitude displayed by this administration, which denigrates the hard work and dedication of our citizens.
The 104,366 white crosses and stars of David on the graves in 19 American cemeteries in England, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Italy are a sobering reminder that freedom is not free. Upon our return, we were shocked at the disgracefully low voter turnout in the primary election. It behooves each of us to honor the memory and sacrifice of all who have fought in our wars for freedom by doing our bit to preserve what they so valiantly fought to save. Low voter turnout is a desecration to the memory of those who gave their lives for us. It is the responsibility of each of us to preserve for future generations those freedoms Americans have enjoyed and were retained through the blood and sacrifice of so many in the present and past generations. The least each of us can do is cast an educated vote. Let’s honor our veterans in November.
Mimi & Irv Milheim
Dayton
