Seventy-two years ago on June 6, Allied forces stormed the beaches of Normandy to push back the fascist occupiers of Europe. Termed “D-Day,” the operation was the largest seaborne invasion in history.
Despite more than 10,000 casualties, the mission was considered a military success. Within a year, Allied forces would reach Berlin, where Hitler had committed suicide.
Few marines who sprinted up the shores that day are still alive, but their memory lives on. Their bravery and commitment to sacrifice their lives for the liberty of foreign soil is an inspiration to today’s freedom fighters, who also sacrifice—usually to a much lesser extent—in order to defend their liberty.
In the video below, Prof. James Otteson asks, “What would it take for you to fight for your liberty?” He exhorts: “Liberty is a precious gift. It is also a very fragile gift.”