It Happened 72 years Ago, Changed History but You are Hardly Hearing About It
Today marks the 72nd anniversary of when our American soldiers stepped foot on the beaches of Normandy during World War II, known as D-Day. As the largest seaborne invasion in history, the operation helped liberate the northwestern Europe from Nazi control.
As an important day in History it seems only natural to recognize those who fought on this day and to represent them in the media. However there appears to be a lack of reverence for those who fought in D-Day in various publications on this 72nd anniversary.
Whether in print or on the web few front page remembrances are to be found by the likes of Google, The New York Times, Wall street Journal, Washington Post, The Washington Times, NBC and other national news outlets.
Although Google has made no mention of D-Day on their homepage, they did not forget to honor Osama Bin Laden fan, Yuri Kochiyama's birthday.
There are many men to honor and remember, like, Cary Lee Jarvis, who received one of the highest honors given to him by the French government last January, for his actions at D-Day 70 years ago, according to the Virginian Pilot.
He was one of the first to land at Omaha Beach on D-Day. With only a pistol he survived the rest of the war.
The former Army lieutenant was decorated as a Knight in the French Legion of Honor. He was given this award at the Virginia National Guard in Norfolk, Va.
Back in 2006 Jarvis shared his story and memories of D-Day in an interview with the Virginian Pilot.
He shared his memory of running across a flat open field with his men, dodging bullets and trying to stay alive. As he and the other soldiers were running toward a hedgerow they came across a sniper.
"When I started 'round that little curve where the hedgerow was, man, he shot at me. My heart, I guess, went right up into my throat. The bullet must have just missed my head," Jarvis said.
He also remembers those who did not make it that day saying, "The first two made it up, and the third one got hit right between the eyes and fell right at my feet."
The Virginian Pilot reports Jarvis was the last living member of the 111th Field Artillery Battalion. They were a part of a Virginia National Guard unit stationed in Norfolk, Va. Those men were among the thousands of soldiers who stormed the beaches of Normandy that fateful day.
Dan Ryan a commander at the American Post Legion says those men and days like D-Day should be covered because it was such a pivotal moment in history.
The American Legion Post 110 is the largest in the Virginia Beach area, with a World War II veteran of their own.
"Some of the things we are concerned about is the divide between the civilian population and the military side," Ryan said.
With only one World War II veteran left in their Virginia Beach based legion, Ryan emphasizes the importance of remembering and recording the memory and sacrifice they leave with us.
