Welcome To Operation Overlord…Wanna Join the Fight?

“Men took heroic actions in Normandy that literally saved the day.  Many struggled just to live and see June 7 and, by doing so, helped guarantee success.  Those who toiled far away from the battle-at airfields, on ships, in basements, offices and hospitals, in jobs as mundane as operating telephones and filling gasoline drums-helped save Operation Overlord as well…They are all responsible for the success of Operation Overlord.  Their efforts and sacrifices are why, as one American newspaper stated, the world as we know it for decades to come was decided in the fields and beaches of Normandy.”
-Tom Hanks, Time Magazine

Y’all know I am a Patriot.  I even gave the saleslady at Bloomingdale’s a bucket of guff when she wanted to sign me up for “Loyalist Points” to save money on a purchase.  I love this blinkin’ country… all her opportunity and even her blemishes.  The scars.  The parts of our history that are beautiful and the parts we like to glaze over.  I just love her.  ‘Merica.

Those of you that followed our amazing trip to the D Day Memorial in Virginia and then on to Washington, DC know how deeply our family was touched by our encounters with the survivors of that most historic and tide-turning day.  I’ve taken to daily reading the children an account from different perspectives on Operation Overlord over the last few weeks, and now I see why that battle has been so precious to me.

“Many struggled to just live and see June 7…”

First of all, as a mother, just making it through the day can sometimes be quite an accomplishment.  I may not be faced with loaded guns and certain death, but sometimes fear and circumstances unforeseen, far worse than I had originally considered, happen upon me.  It’s then that I stop looking too far down the road (and risk being overwhelmed by the sheer prospect of soldiering on another dozen decades or so) and focus on making it to naptime.  Making it to bedtime.  His mercies are new everyday.

“Those who toiled far away…in jobs as mundane as operating telephones or filling gasoline drums-helped save Operation Overlord as well…”

Thanks for that reminder, Tom.  Sometimes, as a mom, I can begin to be fooled into thinking that the REAL ACTION is somewhere out there.  If I could be on Capitol Hill, if I could run some sort of charity, if I could get my hands dirty in some kind of ministry…then I could be making a real difference.  But no.  My job may be mundane…changing a diaper, teaching reading day in and day out for 13 years now, cleaning the gunk out of the fridge, pulling the weeds out of the hedge…but every bit of toil and training with these children is leading up to something far greater.  I am training up a small army in the hard work ethic it takes to make a difference, and I am hopefully encouraging all of you along the way. Together, the sum total of our mundane and never-ending work and service in love to our faith, our families, and our country will turn a tide…it will become it’s own Operation Overlord.

“Their efforts and sacrifices are why, as one American newspaper stated, the world as we know it for decades to come was decided in the fields and beaches of Normandy.”

The WW2 veterans have been called The Greatest Generation.  And I respect that.  I really, really do.  But in saying “the GREATEST” many bemoan the fact that America is waning. They believe our best days are behind us and we just have to grin and bear the dimming of her light.  But I submit to you, that the efforts and sacrifices of parents, who want to believe and in faith will pray, train, teach, cry, yell and sweat can decide the fate of America for decades to come.

Welcome to Operation Overlord.   Believe With Me.